Photo-RAFT polymerization for hydrogel synthesis through barriers and development of light-regulated healable hydrogels under NIR irradiation

We report an aqueous and near-infrared (NIR) light mediated photoinduced reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (photo-RAFT) polymerization system catalyzed by tetrasulfonated zinc phthalocyanine (ZnPcS₄⁻) in the presence of peroxides. Taking advantage of its fast polymerization rates and high oxygen tolerance, this system is successfully applied for the preparation of hydrogels. Exploiting the enhanced penetration of NIR light, photoinduced gelation is effectively performed through non-transparent biological barriers. Notably, the RAFT agents embedded in these hydrogel networks can be reactivated on-demand, enabling the hydrogel healing under NIR light irradiation. In contrast to the minimal healing capability (<15 %) of hydrogels prepared by free radical polymerization (FRP), RAFT-mediated networks display more than 80 % recovery of tensile strength. Although healable polymer networks under UV and blue lights have already been established, this work is the first photochemistry system using NIR light, facilitating photoinduced healing of hydrogels through thick non-transparent barriers.