High-strength, self-healing conductive polyurethane with covalent crosslinking and reversible dynamic bonds for multifunctional strain sensors

Abstract

Flexible conductive elastomer materials are promising for applications in wearable, flexible sensor devices, human motion monitoring, and other fields. However, developing flexible conductive elastomer materials that combine excellent mechanical properties, high electrical conductivity, recyclability, and good self-healing capabilities remains a challenge. Herein, a synergistic strategy based on multiple interacting forces is reported to prepare reliable, flexible, conductive elastomeric materials with high electrical conductivity and excellent mechanical properties. The material is based on a self-healing polyurethane elastomer made by blending with Super P. The material has a tensile strength of 27.87 MPa, an elongation at break of 399.71%, a toughness value of 73.58 MJ m⁻³, and an electrical conductivity of 2.3 × 10⁻³ S cm⁻¹. Multifunctional sensors prepared based on this flexible conductive elastomer material can be realized for human motion monitoring and information encryption applications. This study provides new ideas for developing polyurethane-based conductive elastomers with high mechanical properties, electrical conductivity, repairability, and recyclability.