Dramatic and Reversible Water‐Induced Stiffening Driven by Phase Separation within Polymer Gels

Abstract Responsive polymer materials possessing variable mechanical properties have shown promising practical applications, whereas water has clear advantages among the triggers owing to its wide abundance, green characteristics, as well as mild conditions involved. However, ubiquitous water‐induced softening would prevent polymer materials from applications with high humidity or aqueous environment. Herein, an unprecedented polymer gel …