Highly Entanglement Hydrogel-Coated Sticker for Diverse Surface Applications via Copolymerization Method

High entanglement hydrogel has advantages such as low friction and high stiffness. However, its applicability is limited by its tendency to easily delaminate when adhering to a surface, which is caused by its high swelling property. In this study, we propose a simple method for surface coating highly entangled hydrogels. By utilizing the designed copolymerization of polymers with hydrogel, we enable high entanglement hydrogels to adhere strongly to various surfaces, even under high swelling conditions. The copolymerized polymers are fabricated into a bilayer film of hydrogel and hydrophobic polymer, creating a freestanding sticker that can be used. The hydrophobic polymer layer prevents moisture transfer, thereby preventing the delamination of the hydrogel caused by swelling. Through this study, we have expanded the potential applications in various fields by enabling the application of high entanglement hydrogel regardless of the surface material.