Fabrication of self-healing nanocomposite hydrogels with the cellulose nanocrystals-based Janus hybrid nanomaterials

Janus nanomaterials possess remarkable prospects in the design of a series of smart materials with unique asymmetric properties. In this work, surface functionalized Janus cellulose nanocrystalline-type (CNCs-type) nanomaterials were manufactured by Pickering emulsion template and the construction of self-healing nano composite hydrogels has been realized. During emulsification, the mussel-inspired chemistry was employed to develop Janus nanocomposites. The extension of molecular chain of poly-lysine (PLL) and the polydopamine (PDA) coating were grafted on different sides of CNCs. Afterwards, the prepared nanocomposites were added to poly (acrylic acid) (PAA)-based hydrogels which formed by in-situ polymerization. The collaborative effect of metal-ligand coordination between the molecular chain of PLL, PDA coating, PAA chains and metal ions endowed the nanocomposite hydrogels with excellent mechanical properties (8.8 MPa) and self-healing efficiency (88.9%). Therefore, the synthesized Janus CNCs-PDA/PLL nanocomposites are expected to have diverse application in the development of smart materials with self-healing ability.

Automated summary

Janus nanomaterials were functionalized with poly-lysine (PLL) and polydopamine (PDA) coatings on different sides, then added to poly (acrylic acid) (PAA)-based hydrogels to form self-healing nanocomposite hydrogels. The metal-ligand coordination between PLL, PDA, PAA chains, and metal ions contributed to the excellent mechanical properties and self-healing efficiency of the nanocomposite hydrogels. This study demonstrates the potential of Janus CNCs-PDA/PLL nanocomposites in the development of smart materials with self-healing ability.