Mussel-Inspired Highly Stretchable, Tough Nanocomposite Hydrogel with Self-Healable and Near-Infrared Actuated Performance

Abstract

Based on the adhesive mechanism of mussels, we present a facile strategy to prepare nanocomposite polydopamine–poly­(N-acryloyl glycinamide)–graphene oxide (PDA–PNAGA–GO) hydrogels with lots of catechol groups in the matrix of hydrogel. The microfibril structure formed by PDA chains enables the hydrogels high stretchability (∼1500%) and toughness (6990 J/m2); the multiple hydrogen bonding interactions and π–π interactions among the PNAGA network and PDA chains also enable a hydrogel perfect self-healing performance. Moreover, GO in the hydrogel can absorb the near-infrared irradiation, resulting in the temperature difference between the surface and bottom area and then a bending deformation (with 40% of actuation degree) of the hydrogel. Besides, the GO can also make the hydrogels electrically conductive, and the self-healing efficiency (∼87% for the first healing) could also be calculated according to the retention rate of conductivity of hydrogel after being healed at 90 °C. The unique properties will enable the PDA–PNAGA–GO hydrogels to be widely used in the field of tissue engineering and soft actuators.

Robust, Self-Healable Siloxane Elastomers Constructed by Multiple Dynamic Bonds for Stretchable Electronics and Microsystems

“…Siloxane elastomers featured by excellent biocompatibility, transparency, and environmental resistance often serve as substrate materials in flexible electronic fields, such as electronic skin, − energy storage, , and human–machine interfaces. , However, traditional stretchable materials commonly applied for the preparation of flexible electronic products are prone to accidental cutting, scratching, tearing, puncturing, and other forms of mechanical failure, resulting in loss of mechanical performance and major functions. These defects of traditional stretchable materials severely limit their reliability and shorten the service life. , Motivated by the self-healing of organisms, polymeric materials with self-healable function have been investigated and used to solve the above problems.…”

Implantable coaxial nanocomposite biofibers for local chemo‐photothermal combinational cancer therapy

“…Accordingly, the characteristic alginate peaks associated with C-O stretching vibration (1030 cm -1 ), COO-symmetric and asymmetric stretching vibration (1415 and 1600 cm -1 , respectively), and -OH stretching vibrations (3325 cm -1 ) were observed in both spectra. [43] Moreover, in both spectrums the peak at 1257 cm -1 was associated to C-N stretching of phenyl amines in alginate-dopamine, [44] and the peak at 2920 cm -1 was due to methyl group of alginatemethacrylate. [45] Of note, for NPs-CS fibers, characteristic peaks of Cu 2−x Se were out of the range of our measurements (below 700 cm -1 ), [46] however appearance of C-S stretching vibration (small peak at 720 cm -1 ) was attributed to the thiol groups in the nanoparticles.…”

Double Network Glycerol Gel: A Robust, Highly Sensitive, and Adaptive Temperature Sensor

“…[ 38,41 ] The introduction of inorganic fillers limits the thermoresponsibility and stretchability of these sensors mentioned above, [ 20 ] and the self‐healing performance will also be limited since the nanofillers such as graphene and CNTs could hamper the reassociation of dynamic chemical bonds in the polymer mainchains. [ 42 ] In contrast, hydrogels and ionic gels with robust, self‐healable, stretchable, and other responsive performances [ 7,43–47 ] have aroused much interest due to their wide applications in the field of wearable and flexible electronic devices. [ 48–50 ] For hydrogels, some of them could possess high transparency, [ 51 ] good self‐healing performance, [ 44,52 ] and biocompatibility.…”

“…[ 42 ] In contrast, hydrogels and ionic gels with robust, self‐healable, stretchable, and other responsive performances [ 7,43–47 ] have aroused much interest due to their wide applications in the field of wearable and flexible electronic devices. [ 48–50 ] For hydrogels, some of them could possess high transparency, [ 51 ] good self‐healing performance, [ 44,52 ] and biocompatibility. [ 53 ] Besides, the mechanical performance of hydrogels could be improved via the introduction of double network (DN) [ 54 ] and could even be enhanced by multiple hydrogen‐bonding interactions [ 43 ] without extra chemical crosslinking.…”