In this study, ion-responsive hydrogen bonding strengthened hydrogels (termed as PVV) were synthesized by one-pot copolymerization of 2-vinyl-4,6-diamino-1,3,5-triazine (VDT), 1-vinylimidazole (VI), and polyethylene glycol diacrylate. The diaminotriazine-diaminotriazine (DAT-DAT) H-bonding interaction and copolymerization of VI contributed to a notable increase in comprehensive performances including tensile/compressive strength, elasticity, modulus, and fracture energy. In addition, introducing mM levels of zinc ions could further increase the mechanical properties of PVV hydrogels and fix a variety of temporary shapes due to the strong coordination of zinc with imidazole. The release of zinc ions from the hydrogel contributed to an antibacterial effect, without compromising the shape memory effect. Remarkably, a multiwalled hydrogel tube (MWHT) fixed with Zn(2+) demonstrated much higher flexural strengths and a more sustainable release of zinc ions than the solid hydrogel cylinder (SHC). A Zn(2+)-fixed MWHT was implanted subcutaneously in rats, and it was found that the Zn(2+)-fixed MWHT exhibited anti-inflammatory and wound healing efficacies. The reported high strength hydrogel with integrated functions holds potential as a tissue engineering scaffold.
Keywords: high strength; implantable; ion-responsive; multifunctional; multiwalled hydrogel tubes.