Super-strong and tough poly(vinyl alcohol)/poly(acrylic acid) hydrogels reinforced by hydrogen bonding

Abstract

) are obtained. Very impressively, the ultra-high tensile strengths of the cold-drawn hydrogels are superior to those of biological tissues and most solid engineered plastics. Characterizations and comparative studies prove that the enhancement of mechanical properties is mainly due to the formation of more hydrogen bonding rather than the loss of water or the change in crystallinity. This study provides a new strategy for preparing super-strong physically cross-linked hydrogels and other polymeric materials. This super-strong and tough hydrogel may find potential applications in biomedical and load-bearing fields.