Understanding complex dynamics of interfacial reconstruction in polyampholyte hydrogels undergoing mechano-chemo-electrotaxis coupling

Polyampholyte (PA) hydrogels have attracted significant attention for their superior mechanical strength and toughness compared with other conventional hydrogels. In this study, we present a novel thermodynamic approach to understanding the mechano-chemo-electrotaxis coupling and interfacial dynamics in PA hydrogels. Flory–Huggins theory, carried out through an interfacial free-energy model, is the foundation for the quantitative study of the...