Nanoarchitectonics composite hydrogels with high toughness, mechanical strength, and self-healing capability for electrical actuators with programmable shape memory properties

摘要

. The interaction between the weak polyelectrolyte polyethyleneimine and polyacrylic acid aided in improving the elasticity of the hydrogel, thereby endowing it with prompt self-recovery attributes. The multiple reversible effects also endowed the hydrogel with excellent self-healing ability, and the fractured hydrogel could achieve 95% self-healing within 4 h at room temperature. By the addition of glycerol, the hydrogel could also cope with a variety of extreme environments in terms of moisture retention (12 h, maintaining 80% of its water content) and freeze protection (-36.8 °C) properties. In addition, the composite hydrogels applied in the field of shape memory possessed programmable and reversible shape transformation properties. The polymer chains were entangled at high temperatures to achieve shape fixation, and shape memory was eliminated at low temperatures, which allowed the hydrogels to be reprogrammed and achieve multiple shape transitions. In addition, we also assemble composite hydrogels as actuators and robotic arms for intelligent applications.