We report a novel synthetic and processing methodology for the preparation of doubly dynamic, self-healing, 3D-printable macroporous gels. 3D-printable oxime hydrogels were prepared by cross-linking poly(n-hydroxyethyl acrylamide-co-methyl vinyl ketone) (PHEAA-co-PMVK) with a bifunctional hydroxylamine. 3D-printed oxime hydrogels were subjected to post-printing treatment by thermally induced phase separation (TIPS), which facilitated the formation of hydrogen bonding and oxime cross-links, and dramatically increased the mechanical strength of soft oxime objects in a well-controlled manner by up to ∼1900%. The mechanical properties of the cryogels were tuned by freezing conditions, which affected the microstructure of the cryogels. These doubly dynamic 3D-printed cryogels are macroporous, exhibit outstanding swelling performances, and can fully, rapidly and autonomously self-heal.
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CITATION STYLE
Nadgorny, M., Collins, J., Xiao, Z., Scales, P. J., & Connal, L. A. (2018). 3D-printing of dynamic self-healing cryogels with tuneable properties. Polymer Chemistry, 9(13), 1684–1692. https://doi.org/10.1039/c7py01945a