Tailoring biomimetic polymer networks towards an unprecedented combination of versatile mechanical characteristics

Abstract

Biomimetic polymeric materials, adopting the basic molecular design principles of biological materials, have been extensively studied in recent years but it is still challenging to combine assorted mechanical characteristics in a single material. Here, we present a simple and effective strategy to prepare mechanically robust yet resilient biomimetic polymer networks by utilizing dual noncovalent and covalent cross-linkings. Tailoring the dual cross-links consisting of thiourea noncovalent interactions and epoxy–amine covalent linkages in the biomimetic polymer networks enables a rare combination of excellent elastic modulus (1.1 GPa), yield stress (39 MPa), extensibility (320%), as well as complete strain and performance recovery after deformation at room temperature. The biomimetic polymer networks also exhibit highly adaptive mechanical properties in response to multiple-stimuli including strain rate, temperature, light, and solvent.