Rheological behaviors and microstructure of Oviductus Ranae hydrogels

The rheological properties of Oviductus Ranae (OR) hydrogels were systematically investigated with shear viscosity, dynamic oscillation, and creep-recovery measurements. The viscosity curves displayed phenomena of shear thinning with increase of shear rate. The flow behaviors of the hydrogels were described using 2 representative rheological models. The lesser water was absorbed by OR, the higher viscosity and greater extent of thixotropy it presents. Dynamic viscoelasticity measurements indicated that the samples exhibit viscoelastic properties as physical gels. Creep curves also revealed that the hydrogels behave as viscoelastic solids. Damped oscillations were observed in the initial stage of creep tests (0–1 s). The viscoelastic moduli obtained from dynamic oscillations and those from damped oscillations agreed with each other. The strong dependence of rheological behaviour on network of OR hydrogels had been confirmed by electron microscopy.