Facile fabrication of a magnetic self-healing poly(vinyl alcohol) composite hydrogel

Abstract

This study proposes a simple method to fabricate a magnetic self-healing poly(vinyl alcohol) (ms-PVA) composite hydrogel. The obtained ms-PVA hydrogel was characterized by vibrating sample magnetometery and transmission electron microscopy. The self-healing property was investigated using a rheometer and tensile strength tests. Results showed that the ms-PVA hydrogel exhibited an excellent self-healing property and controllable magnetic intensity by adjusting the Fe3O4 particle content. The added Fe3O4 particles did not participate in hydrogen bond interactions but did cause the magnetic properties of the hydrogel. The hydrogel showed the best self-healing performance when the amount of Fe3O4 particles was 5 wt% (based on ms-PVA). The ms-PVA composite hydrogel presents a new application of the PVA hydrogel given its facile fabrication process and excellent performance. © 2017 The Royal Society of Chemistry.