A versatile hydrogel network–repairing strategy achieved by the covalent-like hydrogen bond interaction

Abstract

Hydrogen bond engineering is widely exploited to impart stretchability, toughness, and self-healing capability to hydrogels. However, the enhancement effect of conventional hydrogen bonds is severely limited by their weak interaction strength. In nature, some organisms tolerate extreme conditions due to the strong hydrogen bond interactions induced by trehalose. Here, we report a trehalose network–repairing strategy achieved by the covalent-like hydrogen bonding interactions to improve the hydrogels’ mechanical properties while simultaneously enabling them to tolerate extreme environmental conditions and retain synthetic simplicity, which proves to be useful for various kinds of hydrogels. The mechanical properties of trehalose-modified hydrogels including strength, stretchability, and fracture toughness are substantially enhanced under a wide range of temperatures. After dehydration, the modified hydrogels maintain their hyperelasticity and functions, while the unmodified hydrogels collapse. This strategy provides a versatile methodology for synthesizing extremotolerant, highly stretchable, and tough hydrogels, which expand their potential applications to various conditions.

Preparation of Ion2+-COS/SA Multifunctional Gel Films for Skin Wound Healing by an In Situ Spray Method

“…The above situation indicates that the metal ions are successfully attached to SA. The shift of the amide band in metal ion cross-linked gel films, indicating the presence of intermolecular hydrogen bonds, is consistent with the large amount of free energy detected in XRD [21,22]. In conclusion, the FTIR results indicate the successful preparation of these metal ion cross-linked gel films.…”

Super Stretchable, Self‐Healing, Adhesive Ionic Conductive Hydrogels Based on Tailor‐Made Ionic Liquid for High‐Performance Strain Sensors

“…The more intensive interactions are expected to promote the localization of water molecules in the polymer network, which is critical for long‐term utilization. [ 50,52,53 ] Meanwhile, as shown in Figure 6e–j, the mechanical properties, self‐healing, adhesion, and conductivity of the PAM/PBA‐IL3/CNF2 hydrogels are maintained after being stored at 25 °C and 40% relative humidity for 14 days, while the PAM hydrogel nearly lost the characteristic properties of wet gels. These above results suggest that the PAM/PBA‐IL3/CNF2 hydrogel could exert its potential role as a multifunctional gel platform with long‐term stability.…”

“…The interaction energy ( E int ) of PI—W (−3.00 Kcal·mol −1 ) and C—W (−4.72 Kcal·mol −1 ) is greater than the E int of W—W (−2.84 Kcal mol −1 ), demonstrate that there is stronger interaction between CNF, PBA‐IL, and water, respectively. [ 51,52 ] In addition, we further investigated the interaction between the polymer system and water in the presence of both CNF and PBA‐IL. Promisingly, when CNF and PBA‐IL coexist, the E int of the integral polymer network to water molecules increases substantially to −22.08 to −25.01 Kcal mol −1 , which is almost 5–6 times higher than that of P—W (−4.15 Kcal mol −1 ).…”

Ascidian-inspired aciduric hydrogels with high stretchability and adhesiveness promote gastric hemostasis and wound healing

“…These results might be attributed to the massive physical interaction (H-bond), which was beneficial for high extensibility. [44][45][46] Generally, the PDTA hydrogel adhesives are a promising material for gastric wound healing.…”