Multivalent cations-triggered rapid shape memory sodium carboxymethyl cellulose/polyacrylamide hydrogels with tunable mechanical strength

A novel multivalent cations-triggered shape memory hydrogels were synthesized in a one-pot method, and interpenetrating double network was formed by chemically cross-linked polyacrylamide (PAM) network and physically cross-linked sodium carboxymethyl cellulose network. The temporary shape was fixed by complexation between a native biopolymer, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), and transition metal ions, specifically Fe3+, Ag+, Al3+, Cu2+, Ni2+, and Mg2+. In particular, CMC-Fe3+ hydrogel exhibits excellent shape fixity ratio (95%). Therefore, we chose PAM/CMC1.0-Fe3+ hydrogel as the model material and further investigated its shape recovery process. It was found that a wide range of molecules and anions could be applied to break off the temporary cross-links between CMC and Fe3+. The PAM/CMC composite hydrogels also exhibited excellent tunable mechanical properties. The mechanical properties of the composite hydrogel can be adjusted by changing the cross-linking densities. The presented strategy could enrich the construction as well as application of biopolymers based shape memory hydrogels.