Safer cables based on advanced materials with a self-healing technique that can be directly powered off and restored easily at any time

Abstract

Advanced materials are more convenient and safe for human use. In this case, a novel idea for the preparation of safer cables was proposed. A kind of self-healing conductive hydrogel (SHCH) was synthesized based on a dynamic Schiff base cross-linkage between the amine groups of chitosan and the benzaldehyde groups of aldehyde-modified PEG. Since there were many chemical cross-linking networks and conductive polypyrrole nanostructure in the hydrogel, it possessed bulk conductivity, mechanical and electrical self-healing properties. Because of the combination of the electrical conductivity and self-healing properties, the SHCH can be used as the conductor part of a cable. This cable can be directly powered off and restored easily at any time.