Chitosan-Based High-Mechanical Double-Network Hydrogels: Construction, Modulation and Applications

Abstract

Double-network (DN) hydrogels are composed of two asymmetric networks with contrasting properties, wherein the rigid and brittle network serving as sacrificial bonds effectively dissipates energy to enhance the mechanical performance. The first reconstructable physical network endows the DN hydrogels with outstanding anti-soften and mechanical stability. However, the monotonous type of physical networks and the difficulty in tailoring structure and mechanics greatly limit the development and application of DN hydrogels. Focusing on these problems, we have fabricated the rigid and brittle chitosan physical network with adjustable network type, structure and property and further constructed various chitosan-based DN hydrogels with high mechanical performance and tunable mechanics. The hydrogels were potential materials for anti-freezing dresses, biomedical materials, flexible electronics and wearable devices. The universal strategy of constructing chitosan-based DN hydrogels was beneficial for developing various functional and high-mechanical hydrogels and broadening their applications.