Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bhilai have developed a multifunctional smart hydrogel that can change its shape when heated while also removing pollutants from wastewater, opening up potential applications in soft robotics, smart actuators and environmental remediation.

The research team, comprising Sudipta Paul, Priyank Sinha, Amul Jain and Dr. Sanjib Banerjee, developed the hydrogel using a specially designed four-arm star polymer combined with acrylic acid, acrylamide and polyethylene glycol diacrylate (PEGDA). The material can be rapidly prepared using ultraviolet-A (UVA) light and formed into different structures, offering potential for the development of programmable, shape-changing smart devices.

A key feature of the hydrogel is its shape-memory behaviour. The researchers demonstrated this capability using a flower-like structure that opens when heated. The material achieved approximately 94 per cent shape fixity and 85 per cent shape recovery, returning to its programmed shape in around 25 seconds. The hydrogel also retained its performance over repeated shape-changing cycles, indicating its potential for applications requiring repeated actuation.

The material demonstrated notable mechanical strength as well. In one demonstration, just 1 gram of dried hydrogel repeatedly lifted a 250-gram metal load. This performance highlights its potential for developing lightweight soft actuators and robotic systems where low material weight and controlled movement are important.

The hydrogel was also evaluated for water purification. Tests showed that it could remove organic dyes, including methylene blue, rhodamine B and eosin B, as well as toxic lead (Pb²⁺) ions from water. The combination of programmable shape transformation, mechanical strength and pollutant-removal capability in a single material makes the hydrogel promising for multifunctional applications.

The study has been published in the peer-reviewed scientific journal Small Methods. According to the researchers, the developed hydrogel platform could provide a foundation for future smart and 4D-printable materials that integrate programmable shape transformation with environmental remediation within a single hydrogel system.

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