Color-tunable luminescent hydrogels with tough mechanical strength and self-healing ability. Issue 5 (22nd January 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yang, Daqing; Wang, Yige; Li, Zhiqiang; Xu, Yang; Cheng, Fei; Li, Peng; Li, Huanrong
• Is Part Of: Journal of materials chemistry. Volume 6:Issue 5(2018)
• Page Start: 1153
• Page End: 1159
• Publication Date: 2018-01-22
• Subjects: Materials -- Periodicals; Chemistry, Analytic -- Periodicals; Optical materials -- Research -- Periodicals; Electronics -- Materials -- Research -- Periodicals; 543.0284
• DOI: 10.1039/c7tc05593e
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2050-7526

Abstract

Abstract : A series of robust, color-tunable and self-healing luminescent hydrogels were constructed via self-assembly strategy driven by the electrostatic interaction of positively-charged luminescent micelles consisting of lanthanide complexes and negatively-charged clay nanosheets in aqueous solution. Abstract : Luminescent hydrogels are of immense importance for various applications nowadays, but there is still a significant challenge to achieve excellent optical functional hydrogels combining robust mechanical properties and high self-healing efficiency under mild conditions. Herein, we describe the preparation of a series of color-tunable and robust luminescent hydrogels through the electrostatic interactions between positively-charged luminescent micelles and negatively-charged clay nanosheets. The further addition of poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) results in an obvious enhancement in the mechanical strength of the hydrogels via physical cross-linking, leading to a more stable luminescent hydrogel with fast self-healing performance. The obtained luminescent hydrogels can also retain their shape persistence even when immersed in organic solvents, affording novel luminescent organogels with outstanding optical performance.