Fig. 5: Regeneration and adhesion.
From: Hierarchically aligned heterogeneous core-sheath hydrogels
a Schematic illustrations of the regeneration mechanism of HHPC hydrogel. It was realized by the dissociation and reformation of crystalline domains induced by the competition between water molecules and kosmotropic ions. b Adhesion mechanism of HHPC hydrogel by activating polymer chains at the highly densified surface via hydrogen bonds between water and polymer chains. c Photographs showing the recovery of the plasticized HHPC-1.5 with the initial clamp distance of 2 mm by a regeneration process. d Tensile stress-strain curves of the original and regenerated HHPC-1.5 hydrogels undergoing 1, 2, 5, and 10 regeneration cycles. e Strength and toughness of the HHPC-1.5 hydrogel over 10 regeneration cycles. Data are presented as mean values ± SD (n = 3). f Photograph showing that three pieces of HHPC-1.5 hydrogel with an adhesion area of 50 mm2 bearing a 5 kg weight. Adhesive strength-strain curves (g) and adhesive strength and energy (h) of the HHPC-0, HHPC-1.5 salted out in 1 M salt and HHPC-1.5 hydrogel. Data in (h) are presented as mean values ± SD (n = 3).
