High-strength p(HEMA-co-AA) hydrogels with photoluminescence crosslinked by 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate modified silica/carbon dots colloids

2-Hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) improved colloids of silica/carbon dots (SiO2/HMCDs) were used by means of new translucent, nontoxic cross-linking centers comprising two non-toxic components, silica colloids and carbon dots. The direct photopolymerization of a mixture of acrylic acid (AA), HEMA, and SiO2/HMCDs afforded ultrahigh strength and mechanically robust hydrogel. The fabricated fluorescent SiO2/HMCDs-based hydrogels demonstrated stable photoluminescence owing to their outstanding mechanical flexibility. Fluorescent hydrogels exhibited tensile strength of up to ∼ 13.2 MPa by processing with 1 wt% SiO2/HMCDs content. More importantly, the mechanical properties (stress or strain) could be changed by controlling the content of SiO2/HMCDs and H2O. Relative hierarchical structure attributed to high mechanical strength.