Synergistic enhancement of hydrogel/aramid composites by dual nanomicelles: high puncture resistance and ultrafast photoinitiated self-healing properties

To solve the difficult recycling and poor durability of puncture-resistant soft composites, this study proposed a synergistic reinforcement of hydrogel/aramid composites by dual nanomicelle cross-linked networks using Pluronic F127DA, TiN, and TiO2 nanoparticles. The TiN nanoparticles, a photothermal conversion material, were introduced into the gel system as toughening particles, and then they were synergized with the micellar state of Pluronic F127DA to form the core–shell structure nanomicelles, which provide more crosslink points and form a triple physical crosslink network with TiO2 NPs. This synergistic reinforcement had a significant effect on the mechanical properties of the gel matrix (302.27 MJ toughness), self-repair ability (100% under near-infrared light for 5 min), and the amazing improvement of the puncture resistance of the composites (276.78 N cone puncture resistance value, 241.98 N knife puncture resistance value). This study provides an important reference for the design of soft composites with both efficient self-healing properties and high puncture resistance.