Polyzwitterionic gels with recyclability, dual-encryption, rapid shape transformation, and antibacterial ability

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The design of novel polymer gels possessing elaborate and efficient properties remains a grand challenge. Here, a zwitterionic network was constructed in a polyanionic cellulose matrix to prepare a series of pol3-[dimethyl- [2-(2-methylprop-2-enoyloxy)ethyl] azaniumyl]propane-1-sulfonate/polyanionic cellulose gels (AAC gels). AAC gels with electrostatic interaction and hydrogen bonding interaction present high mechanical property (∼1350 %/∼0.50 MPa), self-healing performance, self-adhesion, low-temperature resistance, recyclability, ultraviolet (UV) shielding, and antibacterial ability. The information of repeated writing, erasing, and encoding is realized by combining the UV visualization and self-healing performance. Impressively, it has proven the function of successive encryption-decryption process and dual encryption, as well as continuous and reversible dynamic transparency shifting in analogy to dynamic memorizing-forgetting behavior. More interestingly, a spontaneous shape-morphing of AAC'-polyacrylamide (AAC'-PAM) gel with bilayer structure can be obtained by depositing covalently cross-linked PAM. The mismatch strain/stress induces more rapid shape transformation (e.g., bending and grasping objects; ∼22 s) than the currently reported responsive gels due to the disassociation and reformation of the electrostatic interaction. The shape transformation and the information visualization under UV light are further combined to achieve the dual encryption. This study provides a novel strategy for designing and fabricating smart gels with elaborate and efficient functionality.