Nanocomposite hydrogels enhanced by cellulose nanocrystal-stabilized Pickering emulsions with self-healing performance in subzero environment

Nowadays, hydrogels as flexible materials have attracted considerable attention in frontier fields such wearable electronic devices, soft actuators and robotics. However, water-based inevitably freeze at subzero temperatures suffer damage from contact with objects, which greatly reduce their service life practical value. Herein, nanocomposite self-healing performance were proposed by introducing binary water-glycerol continuous phase dual interactions. The solvents emphasized preventing the formation of ice crystals, enhancing abilities environment. Linseed oil healing agent was effectively loaded Pickering droplets cellulose nanocrystals. Owing to non-covalent bonding external agent, obtained showed improved mechanical properties abilities. Particularly, after incorporating droplets, rupture stress 0.24 MPa, strain 1900% efficiency could be up 80.1% for 12 h − 20 °C. Therefore, frost resistance, stretchability should broader potential applications, especially