One-pot fabrication of triple-network structure hydrogels with high-strength and self-healing properties

We recently proposed and demonstrated a novel strategy to improve mechanical strength by designing triple-network (TN) structure. The hydrogel composed of polyacrylamide (PAM), gelatin (Gela) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) was prepared by a simple one-pot method of copolymerization, cooling and freezing/thawing. The PAM/Gela/PVA hydrogels with 2% Gela and 8% PVA could achieve high mechanical properties, the strain and stress at break were 256% and...