Synergy of Hofmeister effect and ligand crosslinking enabled the facile fabrication of super-strong, pre-stretching-enhanced gelatin-based hydrogels

Abstract

solution. The fixation of the gelatin molecular chain orientation by the Hofmeister effect and the reorganization of the coordination bonds allow the hydrogels to be self-reinforced by pre-stretching. At the same time, the modulus contraction of hydrogels in high-concentration salt solutions, and relaxation and swelling in dilute solutions exhibit ionic stimulation responses and shape recovery capability, and hybrid hydrogels have great potential as bio-actuators.