Inside-Out 3D Reversible Ion-Triggered Shape-Morphing Hydrogels

Abstract

Shape morphing is a critical aptitude for the survival of organisms and is determined by anisotropic tissue composition and directional orientation of micro- and nanostructures within cell walls, resulting in different swelling behaviors. Recent efforts have been dedicated to mimicking the behaviors that nature has perfected over billions of years. We present a robust strategy for preparing 3D periodically patterned single-component sodium alginate hydrogel sheets cross-linked with Ca2+ ions, which can reversibly deform and be retained into various desirable inside-out shapes as triggered by biocompatible ions (Na+/Ca2+). By changing the orientations of the patterned microchannels or triggering with Na+/Ca2+ ions, various 3D twisting, tubular, and plant-inspired architectures can be facilely programmed. Not only can the transformation recover their initial shapes reversibly, but also it can keep the designated shapes without continuous stimuli. These inside-out 3D reversible ion-triggered hydrogel transformations shall inspire more attractive applications in tissue engineering, biomedical devices, and soft robotics fields.