NIR-Triggered Rapid Shape Memory PAM–GO–Gelatin Hydrogels with High Mechanical Strength

Shape memory hydrogels containing over 76 wt % of water were synthesized in a one-pot method, and interpenetrating double network was formed by physically cross-linked gelatin network and chemically cross-linked polyacrylamide (PAM) network with graphene oxide (GO). The temporary shape was quickly fixed by cooling in ice water for 30 s after deformation at 80 °C for 10 s. Shape recovery started in 10 s under near-infrared (NIR) irradiation and almost completed within 60 s depending on the curling angle. A small amount of GO in the hydrogels (≤1.5 mg/mL) played a key role in NIR energy absorption and transformation into thermal energy. The hydrogel without GO showed no response to the NIR irradiation and cannot recover to its permanent shape by NIR irradiation. Temperature sweep was conducted in the cycle of 20 °C → 80 °C → 20 °C, and the structure change in the hydrogels with temperature was investigated according to the storage modulus G' and tangent of the loss angle tan δ as a function of the hydrogel composition. The shape-memory capability was confirmed as the contribution from the triple-helix cross-linking network of gelatin. High mechanical toughness (strength > 400 kPa and broken strain > 500%) was achieved by the double-network with the sacrificial gelatin network and GO bridging to dissipate deformation energy. The optimized composition of the hydrogel was found to be a key point to realize stable temporary shape and rapid recovery to the permanent shape controlled by NIR irradiation with reasonable strength. The facile preparation and noncontact gentle stimulus of the present hydrogel hold great potential to be used in soft actuator materials.