Artificial skin composites have attracted great interest in functional composite materials. The aim of this study was to prepare and characterize a smart artificial skin composite comprising a bionic microvascular with both self-nourishing and self-healing functions. A poly(vinyl alcohol)-glycerol-gelatin double network organic hydrogel was used as the artificial skin matrix. The hydrogel had high mechanical strength because of the strong hydrogen bond formed between the PVA and glycerol (GL). The gelatin (GEL) increased the toughness and elasticity of the hydrogel to ensure the strength of the artificial skin and fit of the interface with the body. The bionic polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) microvascular had excellent thermal stability and mechanical property in artificial skin. Results indicated that self-nourishing was successfully realized by liquid release through the pore structures of the bionic microvascular. The bionic microvascular healed microcracks in the artificial skin when damage occurred, based on a self-healing test.
Keywords: artificial skin; microvascular; self-healing; self-nourishing.