title: Self-healing in nanocomposite hydrogels.
abstract: Polymer hydrogels with characteristics distinct from those of solid materials are one of the most promising candidates for smart materials. Here, we report that a nanocomposite hydrogel (NC gel) consisting of a unique polymer/clay network structure, can exhibit complete self-healing through autonomic reconstruction of crosslinks across a damaged interface. Mechanical damage in NC gels can be repaired without the use of a healing agent, and even sections of NC gels separated by cutting, from whichever the same or different kinds of NC gel, perfectly (re-)combine by just contacting the cut surfaces together at mildly elevated temperatures. In NC gels, the autonomic fusion of cut surfaces as well as the self-healing could be achieved not only immediately after being cut but also after a long waiting time.
authors: Material Chemistry Laboratory, Kawamura Institute of Chemical Research, 631 Sakado, Sakura, Chiba 285-0078, Japan. hara@kicr.or.jp
authors: Kazutoshi
authors: K
authors: Haraguchi
authors: Kazuhisa
authors: K
authors: Uyama
authors: Hisashi
authors: H
authors: Tanimoto
mesh_terms: D004548:Elasticity; D020100:Hydrogels / Q000737:chemistry*; D053761:Nanocomposites / Q000737:chemistry*; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D020100:Hydrogels; D011108:Polymers