Tough, anti-freezing and non-drying double network organohydrogels

Abstract Herein, a novel double network polyvinyl alcohol/gelatin/glycerol (PVA/GEL/GL) organohydrogel is reported and fabricated. The existence of GEL improves the high mechanical strength based on the strong hydrogen bonds from PVA and GL, endowing the organohydrogels with excellent flexibility and biocompatibility. Especially, PVA/GEL/GL organohydrogels can maintain excellent mechanical flexibility at −25 °C, and possess remarkable non-drying even at 85 °C. It also exhibits good mildewproof property after 15 days. Meanwhile, remoldability endows organohydrogels to be recycled and reused, even as substitute materials for soil to cultivate plants. Thus, PVA/GEL/GL organohydrogels as a biological material have great potential great potential in fields of biomedicine, and even industry and agriculture.