Biological tissue-inspired cellulose nanocomposite hydrogels with synergistic rapid self-healing, enhanced mechanical performance, UV-blocking and antioxidant properties

Abstract

Although self-healing hydrogels with functional similarities to biological tissues receive considerable attention in biomedical fields, it remains a challenge to combine rapid self-healing abilities with good mechanical performances and other multifunctional properties. Herein, with soft tissue-inspired biomimicry, a versatile cellulose nanocomposite hydrogel was designed and fabricated based on TA@CNC (cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) decorated with tannic acid (TA)) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) via dynamic reversible borate ester bond and hydrogen bond crosslinking, which realized the combination of superstretchability (>5300%), moldable, rapid self-healing (<10 min) in both air and liquid environments, pH sensitivity, antibacterial, ultraviolet (UV)-blocking, and antioxidative capabilities. More remarkably, this hydrogel can also serve as an excellent platform for tuning with multifunctionalities by hosting diverse nanoparticles, such as carbon quantum dots and magnetic nanoparticles, catering to the diverse demands of various applications. This versatile approach is expected to open up new prospects for the rational design of high-performance multifunctional cellulose hydrogels, thereby expanding their application range.