Metal-ion-mediated healing of gels

Metal-ion-mediated healing, a healing phenomenon in lightly cross-linked hydrophilic polymer gels, is described. The gels were synthesized from acryloyl derivatives of amino acids, which contain a hydrophobic alkyl chain and a terminal hydrophilic carboxyl group. The gels were healed by the placement of the dried cylindrical pieces of the gels together in a dilute aqueous solution of 0.1 M CuCl 2 at the ambient temperature. It was observed that the metal-binding capacity of the gel, the nature of complexation, and the ability to deform under stress influenced the healing ability of the gel.