A Novel Polyvinyl Alcohol-Based Hydrogel with Ultra-Fast Self-Healing Ability and Excellent Stretchability Based on Multi Dynamic Covalent Bond Cross-Linking

A novel self-healing poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)-based hydrogel is developed by cross-linking PVA chains through multi dynamic covalent bonds by use of a small cross-linker composed by 4-formylphenylboric acid (FPBA) and lysine (Lys). The dynamic borate-imine-imine-borate bond structure between PVA chains endows the hydrogel excellent stretchability and ultra-fast self-healing ability without external stimulation. The self-healing efficiency can attain 94% and the elongation at break can reach up to near 1000% after only 3 min healing. Moreover, the self-healing of the hydrogel through the contact of two faces from both the same cut position and different cut positions has similar excellent efficiency. The hydrogel with the unusual self-healing performance and stretchability is used as an ideal material in strain sensors monitoring human movement and tiny vibrations caused by human voice. Interestingly, the sensor can continue to function normally after self-healing for only ≈3 s. It is expected that this simple strategy of fabricating self-healing hydrogels with multi dynamic bonds will provide new opportunities in the design and preparation of PVA-based hydrogels to expand their potential applications in sensors and other various fields.