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 ...