Preparation of shaped non-polyelectrolyte hydrogel particles with decomposable and recyclable performance by vortex ring freezing

Abstract The vortex-ring derived particles are new type of non-spherical hydrogel particles, which are prepared by imitating the process of vortex-ring in nature. However, the traditional existing vorticity ring derived hydrogel particles were prepared by dropping polyelectrolyte solution into contra-ion coagulation bath, which limited the choice of materials. In this paper, a strategy of preparation non-spherical hydrogel particles by using non-polyelectrolyte polyvinyl alcohol through the method of vortex ring was proposed. Based on the principle that the boraciated polyvinyl alcohol solution could be quickly gelled under alkaline condition, the spherical and various derivative shapes (red cell, bowl, dish, ring) of polyvinyl alcohol vortex-ring derived hydrogel particles (PVHP) were prepared. The hydrogel particles have the ability to assemble into different modules by dynamic borate bond in the hydrogel particles. Also, this dynamic borate bond endowed the PVHP decomposable and recyclable performances. In addition, two-compartments, three-compartments and magnetic PVHP were also prepared, endowing PVHP with several functions. which opens up a new environmentally friendly way for the preparation of multifunctional particles.