Conductive hydrogel composites with autonomous self-healing properties

Abstract

Conventional conductive hydrogels usually lack self-healing properties, but might be favorable for smart electronic applications. Therefore, we present the fabrication of conductive self-healing hydrogels that merge the merits of electrical...

Smart Hydrogels Meet Carbon Nanomaterials for New Frontiers in Medicine

“…Self-healing properties can be attained by introducing suitable dynamic cross-linkers, so that, through a combination of covalent and non-covalent interactions, the material can achieve a good balance between toughness and ability to self-heal. This was demonstrated for PVA combined with a poly( N,N -dimethyl acrylamide) copolymer derivative modified with pyrene and borate functional groups with well-dispersed CNTs and self-healing ability [ 159 ]. In particular, the pyrene moiety allowed for π-π interactions between the polymer and the CNTs, while dynamic boronate ester bonds crosslinked the two polymers and enabled self-healing [ 159 ].…”

“…This was demonstrated for PVA combined with a poly( N,N -dimethyl acrylamide) copolymer derivative modified with pyrene and borate functional groups with well-dispersed CNTs and self-healing ability [ 159 ]. In particular, the pyrene moiety allowed for π-π interactions between the polymer and the CNTs, while dynamic boronate ester bonds crosslinked the two polymers and enabled self-healing [ 159 ]. Alternatively, glutaraldehyde proved to be an effective cross-linker for PVA and CNTs thus yielding a tough yet highly elastic and conductive hydrogel ( Figure 7 ) whose applicability was demonstrated in wearable devices to detect finger motion, to monitor the pulse, and to record electromyograms [ 149 ].…”

Towards conductive hydrogels in e-skins: a review on rational design and recent developments

“…64,65 Among all the copolymerization strategies, direct copolymerization and graing are two widely utilized approaches to fabricate conductive hydrogels through copolymerization, realizing multifunctional features of hydrogels, such as conductivity, stretchability, stability, self-healing property, and biocompatibility. 34,35,[66][67][68][69][70][71][72][73][74][75][76][77][78][79][80][81] However, the majority of hydrogels are restricted by the poor mechanical strength, 82 leading to insufficient stability and efficiency for practical utilization. To tackle the limitations on structural robustness, incorporation of high-strength llers and constructing crosslinked structures are designed during fabrication.…”

“…83 These conductive hydrogels can be applied to generate multifunctional e-skins or exible electronic devices. [66][67][68][69][70][71][72][73] A facile methodology of direct copolymerization for conductive hydrogels is to control the content of monomers in the copolymers in order to realize the specic properties of hydrogels. For example, Jiang et al established a mechanical-tunable conductive hydrogel by copolymerizing hydrophobic HEMA (hydroxyethyl methacrylate) and AA (acrylic acid), catering to the different requirements of mechanical properties of hydrogels.…”

Double‐network polyvinyl alcohol composite hydrogel with self‐healing and low friction

“…In recent years, hydrogels have received considerable attention for their promise in sensors, tissue engineering, drug transport, and situations requiring highly absorbent materials. [16][17][18] A hydrogel, as a hydrophilic polymerchain network, can function as a fluid interface layer; the liquid film permeated from its surface and the solventized flexible polymer result in good lubrication. (Jacob et al combined hydrogels with lipids, reducing friction, and wear by 80%-99.3% compared to nonlipid hydrogels.…”