Hydrogels with remarkable hydrophilicity and tunable toughness are appealing materials to serve as superabsorbent polymers. However, chemically cross-linked hydrogels often suffer from low toughness regardless of their considerable swelling, restricting their widespread applications. In comparison, the network of physically cross-linked hydrogels can be regulated to meet both a high swelling ratio and considerable toughness. Here, we develop superabsorbent and tough hydrophobic associated hydrogels using terpolymerization of poly acrylic acid (PAA), polyacrylamide (PAM), and lauryl methacrylate (LMA) within the micelles formed by sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) surfactant. To this end, various parameters such as AA/AM molar ratio, the concentration of hydrophobic and hydrophilic monomers in the hydrogel network were optimized by morphological, mechanical, rheological, and swelling studies. The multiple physical interactions inside the hydrogel endow it with suitable mechanical properties (stretchability 1500–3000%, tensile strength 50–150kPa, and toughness up to 2.4 MJ/m3). On the other hand, the macroporous network of the hydrogels caused by the hydrophobic association is responsible for their outstanding swelling ratio. On this basis, the hydrogels can absorb water up to 1000 g/g while keeping their 3D network noticeably, exceeding the swelling degree of hydrophobic associated hydrogels reported till now. Such a fascinating feature can widen the hydrogels’ applications in various areas.

具有显着亲水性和可调韧性的水凝胶是用作超吸收性聚合物的有吸引力的材料。然而，化学交联的水凝胶尽管有相当大的溶胀，但往往韧性低，限制了它们的广泛应用。相比之下，可以调节物理交联水凝胶的网络以满足高溶胀率和相当大的韧性。在这里，我们使用由十二烷基硫酸钠 (SDS) 表面活性剂形成的胶束内的聚丙烯酸 (PAA)、聚丙烯酰胺 (PAM) 和甲基丙烯酸月桂酯 (LMA) 三元聚合，开发出高吸水性和坚韧的疏水缔合水凝胶。为此，通过形态学优化了各种参数，例如AA / AM摩尔比，水凝胶网络中疏水和亲水单体的浓度，机械、流变学和溶胀研究。水凝胶内部的多重物理相互作用使其具有合适的机械性能（拉伸性 1500-3000%，拉伸强度 50-150kPa，韧性高达 2.4 MJ/m3）。另一方面，由疏水缔合引起的水凝胶的大孔网络是它们出色的溶胀率的原因。在此基础上，水凝胶可以吸收高达 1000 g/g 的水，同时显着保持其 3D 网络，超过了迄今为止报道的疏水相关水凝胶的溶胀度。这种引人入胜的特性可以拓宽水凝胶在各个领域的应用。和韧性高达 2.4 MJ/m3)。另一方面，由疏水缔合引起的水凝胶的大孔网络是它们出色的溶胀率的原因。在此基础上，水凝胶可以吸收高达 1000 g/g 的水，同时显着保持其 3D 网络，超过了迄今为止报道的疏水相关水凝胶的溶胀度。这种引人入胜的特性可以拓宽水凝胶在各个领域的应用。和韧性高达 2.4 MJ/m3)。另一方面，由疏水缔合引起的水凝胶的大孔网络是它们出色的溶胀率的原因。在此基础上，水凝胶可以吸收高达 1000 g/g 的水，同时显着保持其 3D 网络，超过了迄今为止报道的疏水相关水凝胶的溶胀度。这种引人入胜的特性可以拓宽水凝胶在各个领域的应用。