Home PVA-borax/g-C3N4 nanocomposite hydrogel with excellent mechanical property and self-healing efficiency
Article
Licensed
Unlicensed Requires Authentication

PVA-borax/g-C3N4 nanocomposite hydrogel with excellent mechanical property and self-healing efficiency

  • Shishan Xue EMAIL logo , Dengliang He , Xianchun Hu , Yuqian Cao , Jinliang Ge and Shuxin Liu
Published/Copyright: June 20, 2023
Become an author with De Gruyter Brill
Submit Manuscript Author Information
Journal of Polymer Engineering
From the journal Journal of Polymer Engineering Volume 43 Issue 7

Abstract

Most self-healing hydrogels always exhibited poor mechanical property which largely limited the applications in many fields. In this work, g-C3N4 nanosheets were introduced to the PVA-borax hydrogel to reinforce the network without sacrificing the self-healing ability. The obtained hydrogel displayed remarkable tensile strength (0.98 MPa), Young’s modulus (1.54 MPa) and toughness (4.43 MJ m−3), of which the self-healing efficiency reached to 99 % in 10 min at room temperature. Overall, the strategy proposed in this work provides a simple, operatable and moderate approach to hydrogel with both excellent mechanical property and self-healing ability.

Keywords: g-C3N4; mechanical property; PVA-borax hydrogel; self-healing property
Corresponding author: Shishan Xue, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Mianyang Normal University, Mianxing West Road No. 166, Mianyang City, 62100, China, E-mail:

Funding source: Mianyang Teacher’s College Start-up Funding

Award Identifier / Grant number: 71/QD2021A11

  1. Author contributions: All the authors have accepted responsibility for the entire content of this submitted manuscript and approved submission.

  2. Research funding: S. X. thanks Mianyang Teacher’s College Start-up Funding (71/QD2021A11) for financial support.

  3. Conflict of interest statement: The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest regarding this article.

References

1. Zhang, Y. S., Khademhosseini, A. Advances in engineering hydrogels. Science 2017, 356, 3627; https://doi.org/10.1126/science.aaf3627.Search in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central

2. Guo, M. L., Wu, Y. P., Xue, S. S., Xia, Y. M., Yang, X., Dzenis, Y., Lei, W. W., Smith, A. T., Sun, L. A highly stretchable, ultra-tough, remarkably tolerant, and robust self-healing glycerol-hydrogel for a dual-responsive soft actuator. J. Mater. Chem. A 2019, 7, 25969; https://doi.org/10.1039/c9ta10183g.Search in Google Scholar

3. Xue, S. S., Wu, Y. P., Liu, G. F., Guo, M. L., Zhang, T., Wang, Z. H. Hierarchically reversible crosslinking polymeric hydrogels with highly efficient self-healing, robust mechanical properties, and double-driven shape memory behavior. J. Mater. Chem. A 2021, 9, 5730–5739; https://doi.org/10.1039/d0ta10850b.Search in Google Scholar

4. Luo, X., Wu, Y. P., Guo, M. L., Yang, X., Xie, L. Y., Lai, J. J., Li, Z. Y., Zhou, H. W. Multi-functional polyurethane composites with self-healing and shape memory properties enhanced by graphene oxide. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2021, 138, 50827; https://doi.org/10.1002/app.50827.Search in Google Scholar

5. Hia, I. L., Pasbakhsh, P., Vahedi, V. Self-healing polymer composites: prospects, challenges, and applications. Polym. Rev. 2016, 56, 225–261; https://doi.org/10.1080/15583724.2015.1106555.Search in Google Scholar

6. Wen, N., Song, T. T., Ji, Z. H., Jiang, D. W., Wu, Z. J., Wang, Y., Guo, Z. H. Recent advancements in self-healing materials: mechanicals, performances and features. React. Funct. Polym. 2021, 168, 105041; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.reactfunctpolym.2021.105041.Search in Google Scholar

7. Qi, H. Z., Zhao, Y. H., Zhu, K. Y., Yuan, X. Y. Research progresses in self-healing polymer materials. Prog. Chem. 2011, 23, 2560–2567.Search in Google Scholar

8. Hu, Z., Zhang, D. Y., Lu, F., Yuan, W. H., Xu, X. R., Zhang, Q., Liu, H., Shao, Q., Guo, Z. H., Huang, Y. D. Multistimuli-responsive intrinsic self-healing epoxy resin constructed by host-guest interactions. Macromolecules 2018, 51, 5294–5303; https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.macromol.8b01124.Search in Google Scholar

9. Liu, H., Xiong, C., Tao, Z., Fan, Y., Tang, X., Yang, H. Zwitterionic copolymer-based and hydrogen bonding-strengthened self-healing hydrogel. RSC Adv. 2015, 5, 33083–33088; https://doi.org/10.1039/c4ra15003a.Search in Google Scholar

10. Darabi, M. A., Khosrozadeh, A., Mbeleck, R., Liu, Y., Chang, Q., Jiang, J., Cai, J., Wang, Q., Luo, G., Xing, M. Skin-inspired multifunctional autonomic-intrinsic conductive self-healing hydrogels with pressure sensitivity, stretchability, and 3D printability. Adv. Mater. 2017, 29, 1700533; https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.201700533.Search in Google Scholar PubMed

11. Ji, Z. Y., Wang, H., Chen, Z., Wang, P. P., Liu, J., Wang, J. Q., Hu, M. M., Fei, J. B., Nie, N. Y., Huang, Y. A both microscopically and macroscopically intrinsic self-healing long lifespan yarn battery. Energy Storage Mater. 2020, 28, 334–341; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ensm.2020.03.020.Search in Google Scholar

12. Chen, L. J., Shao, J., Yu, Q. J., Wang, S. High-strength, anti-fatigue, stretchable self-healing polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel based on borate bonds and hydrogen bonds. J. Dispersion Sci. Technol. 2022, 43, 690–703; https://doi.org/10.1080/01932691.2020.1844740.Search in Google Scholar

13. Ai, J. Y., Li, K., Li, J. B., Yu, F., Ma, J. Super flexible, fatigue resistant, self-healing PVA/xylan/borax hydrogel with dual-crosslinked network. Int. J. Biol. Macromol. 2021, 172, 66–73; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2021.01.038.Search in Google Scholar PubMed

14. Zhang, H. J., Xia, H. S., Zhao, Y. Poly(vinyl alcohol) hydrogel can autonomously self-heal. ACS Macro Lett. 2012, 1, 1233–1236; https://doi.org/10.1021/mz300451r.Search in Google Scholar PubMed

15. Zhao, D. W., Feng, M., Zhang, L., He, B., Chen, X. Y., Sun, J. Facile synthesis of self-healing and layered sodium alginate/polyacrylamide hydrogel promoted by dynamic hydrogen bond. Carbohydr. Polym. 2021, 256, 117580; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbpol.2020.117580.Search in Google Scholar PubMed

16. Wu, G. F., Jin, K. Y., Liu, L., Zhang, H. X. A rapid self-healing hydrogel based on PVA and sodium alginate with conductive and cold-resistant properties. Soft Matter 2020, 16, 3319–3324; https://doi.org/10.1039/c9sm02455g.Search in Google Scholar PubMed

17. Xue, S. S., Liu, G. F., Lai, J. J., An, P., Liu, Y., Wu, Y. P., Wang, Y., Ye, Z. Y., Tang, Q., Zhou, H. W. Boron nitride nanosheets strengthened PVA/borax hydrogels with highly efficient self-healing and rapid pH-driven shape memory effect. Macromol. Mater. Eng. 2021, 306, 2100415; https://doi.org/10.1002/mame.202100415.Search in Google Scholar

18. Yang, W. J., Wang, X. D., Zhang, R., Wang, Y. X., Qiu, Q., Yuwen, L. H., Wang, L. H. A hybrid polyvinyl alcohol/molybdenum disulfide nanosheet hydrogel with light-triggered rapid self-healing capability. J. Mater. Chem. B 2021, 9, 2266–2274; https://doi.org/10.1039/d0tb02830d.Search in Google Scholar PubMed

19. Wang, B. B., Dai, L., Hunter, L. A., Zhang, L., Yang, G. H., Chen, J. C. A., Zhang, X. Y., He, Z. B., Ni, Y. H. A multifunctional nanocellulose-based hydrogel for strain sensing and self-powering applications. Carbohydr. Polym. 2021, 268, 118210; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbpol.2021.118210.Search in Google Scholar PubMed

20. Wang, H. Q., Li, J. C., Ding, N., Zeng, X. H., Tang, X., Sun, Y., Lei, T. Z., Lin, L. Eco-friendly polymer nanocomposite hydrogel enhanced by cellulose nanocrystal and graphitic-like carbon nitride nanosheet. Chem. Eng. J. 2020, 386, 124021; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2020.124021.Search in Google Scholar

21. Hu, S. Z., Wang, K. Y., Li, P., Wang, F., Kang, X. X., Wu, G. The effect of hydroxyl group grafting on the photocatalytic phenolic compounds oxidation ability of g-C3N4 prepared by a novel H2O2-alkali hydrothermal method. Appl. Surf. Sci. 2020, 513, 145783; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apsusc.2020.145783.Search in Google Scholar

22. Jing, L., Li, H., Tay, R. Y., Sun, B., Tsang, S. H., Cometto, O., Lin, J., Teo, E. H. T., Tok, A. I. Y. Biocompatible hydroxylated boron nitride nanosheets/poly(vinyl alcohol) interpenetrating hydrogels with enhanced mechanical and thermal responses. ACS Nano 2017, 11, 3742–3751; https://doi.org/10.1021/acsnano.6b08408.Search in Google Scholar PubMed

23. Wang, Y. X., Wang, Z. C., Wu, K. L., Wu, J. N., Meng, G. H., Liu, Z. Y., Guo, X. H. Synthesis of cellulose-based double-network hydrogels demonstrating high strength, self-healing, and antibacterial properties. Carbohydr. Polym. 2017, 168, 112–120; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbpol.2017.03.070.Search in Google Scholar PubMed

24. He, X. Y., Zhang, C. Y., Wang, M., Zhang, Y. L., Liu, L. Q., Yang, W. An electrically and mechanically autonomic self-healing hybrid hydrogel with tough and thermoplastic properties. ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 2017, 9, 11134–11143; https://doi.org/10.1021/acsami.7b00358.Search in Google Scholar PubMed

25. Gong, Z. Y., Zhang, G. P., Zeng, X. L., Li, J. H., Li, G., Huang, W. P., Sun, R., Wong, C. P. High-strength, tough, fatigue resistant, and self-healing hydrogel based on dual physically cross-linked network. ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 2016, 8, 24030–24037; https://doi.org/10.1021/acsami.6b05627.Search in Google Scholar PubMed

26. Liang, Y. P., Li, M., Yang, Y. T., Qiao, L. P., Guo, B. L. pH/glucose dual responsive metformin release hydrogeldressings with adhesion and self-healing via dual-dynamic bonding for athletic diabetic foot wound healing. ACS Nano 2022, 16, 3194–3207; https://doi.org/10.1021/acsnano.1c11040.Search in Google Scholar PubMed

27. Liang, Y. Q., Xu, H. R., Li, Z. L., Zhang, A., Guo, B. L. Bioinspired injectable self-healing hydrogel sealant with fault-tolerant and repeated thermo-responsive adhesion for sutureless post-wound-closure and wound healing. Nano-Micro Lett. 2022, 14, 185; https://doi.org/10.1007/s40820-022-00928-z.Search in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central

28. Li, J. Y., Illeperuma, W. B. K., Suo, Z. G., Vlassak, J. J. Hybrid hydrogels with extremely high stiffness and toughness. ACS Macro Lett. 2014, 3, 520–523; https://doi.org/10.1021/mz5002355.Search in Google Scholar PubMed

29. Cui, Z. H., Martinez, A. P., Adamson, D. H. PMMA functionalized boron nitride sheets as nanofillers. Nanoscale 2015, 7, 10193–10197; https://doi.org/10.1039/c5nr00936g.Search in Google Scholar PubMed

30. Xue, S. S., Wu, Y. P., Guo, M. L., Liu, D., Zhang, T., Lei, W. W. Fabrication of poly(acrylic acid)/boron nitride composite hydrogels with excellent mechanical properties and rapid self-healing through hierarchically physical interactions. Nanoscale Res. Lett. 2018, 13, 393; https://doi.org/10.1186/s11671-018-2800-2.Search in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central

Supplementary Material

This article contains supplementary material (https://doi.org/10.1515/polyeng-2023-0069).

Received: 2023-03-24
Accepted: 2023-06-07
Published Online: 2023-06-20
Published in Print: 2023-08-28

© 2023 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston

Articles in the same Issue

  1. Frontmatter
  2. Material Properties
  3. The degradation behaviors of optical cellulose triacetate films in alkali/acid solutions
  4. Exploration of dielectric spectra of variously synthesized epoxy/ZnO nanocomposites
  5. Preparation and Assembly
  6. Preparation and evaluation of polyvinyl alcohol hydrogels with zinc oxide nanoparticles as a drug controlled release agent for a hydrophilic drug
  7. PVA-borax/g-C3N4 nanocomposite hydrogel with excellent mechanical property and self-healing efficiency
  8. Fabrication and characterization of microencapsulated dimethyl adipate phase change material with melamine-formaldehyde shell for cold thermal energy storage in coating
  9. Preparation and performance of “three-layer sandwich” composite loose nanofiltration membrane based on mussel bionic technology
  10. Engineering and Processing
  11. Electrospinning and electrospun based polyvinyl alcohol nanofibers utilized as filters and sensors in the real world
  12. Synergistic effect of GMA and TMPTA as co-agent to adjust the branching structure of PLLA during UV-induced reactive extrusion
https://doi.org/10.1515/polyeng-2023-0069
Keywords for this article
g-C3N4; mechanical property; PVA-borax hydrogel; self-healing property

Articles in the same Issue

  1. Frontmatter
  2. Material Properties
  3. The degradation behaviors of optical cellulose triacetate films in alkali/acid solutions
  4. Exploration of dielectric spectra of variously synthesized epoxy/ZnO nanocomposites
  5. Preparation and Assembly
  6. Preparation and evaluation of polyvinyl alcohol hydrogels with zinc oxide nanoparticles as a drug controlled release agent for a hydrophilic drug
  7. PVA-borax/g-C3N4 nanocomposite hydrogel with excellent mechanical property and self-healing efficiency
  8. Fabrication and characterization of microencapsulated dimethyl adipate phase change material with melamine-formaldehyde shell for cold thermal energy storage in coating
  9. Preparation and performance of “three-layer sandwich” composite loose nanofiltration membrane based on mussel bionic technology
  10. Engineering and Processing
  11. Electrospinning and electrospun based polyvinyl alcohol nanofibers utilized as filters and sensors in the real world
  12. Synergistic effect of GMA and TMPTA as co-agent to adjust the branching structure of PLLA during UV-induced reactive extrusion
Sign up now to receive a 20% welcome discount
Institutional Access
How does access work?
Have an idea on how to improve our website?
Please write us.
© 2025 De Gruyter Brill
Downloaded on 26.9.2025 from https://www.degruyterbrill.com/document/doi/10.1515/polyeng-2023-0069/html?lang=en
Scroll to top button