A simple one-pot solvent exchange method is developed to prepare non-swellable, thermoplastic and tough supramolecular gelatin hydrogels based on two synergistic physical crosslinking, namely, the self-assembled tri-helix structure of gelatin and hydrophobic aggregation of gelatin-grafted and free hydrophobic motifs. The obtained hydrogels possess stable water content >70% with extended incubation in water and these hydrogels are highly malleable upon heating but are extremely stretchable and tough after cooling to room temperature. Furthermore, the supramolecular gelatin hydrogels exhibit robust adhesion to various material surfaces and minimal cytotoxicity.
- Qian Feng
- Kongchang Wei
- Liming Bian
