Inorganic Salts Induce Thermally Reversible and Anti-Freezing Cellulose Hydrogels

Inspired by the anti-freezing mechanisms found in nature, ionic compounds (ZnCl2/CaCl2) are integrated into cellulose hydrogel networks to enhance the freezing resistance. In this work, cotton cellulose is dissolved by a specially designed ZnCl2/CaCl2 system, which endows the cellulose hydrogels specific properties such as excellent freeze-tolerance, good ion conductivity, and superior thermal reversibility. Interestingly, the rate of cellulose coagulation could be promoted by the addition of extra water or glycerol. This new type of cellulose-based hydrogel may be suitable for the construction of flexible devices used at temperature as low as -70 degrees C.