Self-healing and photoluminescent carboxymethyl cellulose-based hydrogels

Abstract Nature resource-derived hydrogels with the properties of both self-healing and photoluminescence are urgent needed to develop. Herein, we demonstrate that carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC)-based hydrogels can be engineered to exhibit the integrate capabilities of self-healing, photoluminescence and stretchability by a facile, green and economic approach. The CMC-based hydrogels present blue-green color under ultraviolet light, and self-heal in ambient temperature without any external stimulus with 95% healing efficiency. Moreover, the healed hydrogel can be stretched nearly 2.5 times of their original length. The stretchable self-healing and photoluminescent CMC-based hydrogels can adhere to glass, plastic and soft tissues. The vessel sealant for preventing the leakage of aqueous solution and prototype of mucoadhesive for stomach perforations are demonstrated. With these novel properties, the easy-to-synthesize, mass production, multifunctional smart CMC-based hydrogels hold great potential for applications in biomedical and engineering fields.