Highly Elastic and Self-Healing Composite Colloidal Gels

Abstract

Composite colloidal gels are formed by the pH-induced electrostatic assembly of silica and gelatin nanoparticles. These injectable and moldable colloidal gels are able to withstand substantial compressive and tensile loads, and exhibit a remarkable self-healing efficiency. This study provides new, critical insight into the structural and mechanical properties of composite colloidal gels and opens up new avenues for practical application of colloidal gels.

Keywords: colloidal gels; composites; nanoparticles; self-assembly; self-healing.