Products Cited in Publications Worldwide In-Use Robust and Self-Healing, On-Demand Multi-Pathway Degradations: Bio-Based Poly (Urethane-Urea) Elastomers with Disulfide Bonds

In-Use Robust and Self-Healing, On-Demand Multi-Pathway Degradations: Bio-Based Poly (Urethane-Urea) Elastomers with Disulfide Bonds

Jin, Sebin; Oh, Dongyeop; Park, Jeyoung

DOI:

Abstract

The excessive and persistent use of petroleum-derived plastics has resulted in severe environmental challenges due to their long-term durability and resistance to degradation. Herein, we present sustainable PUU elastomers that integrate in-use mechanical robustness and autonomous self-healing, and on-demand multi-pathway degradability. At the core of this system is 4-aminophenyl disulfide, an aromatic disulfide building block that imparts multiple functionalities: its rigid conjugated structure enhances thermal and mechanical stability; its dynamic disulfide bonds undergo rapid exchange at mild temperatures, enabling efficient self-healing; and its primary amine forms urea linkages with diisocyanates. Unlike conventional polyurethanes relying solely on urethane linkages, the introduction of urea bonds with dual hydrogen donors forms stronger, more directional supramolecular networks, enhancing cohesion and toughness. Additionally, ester-rich bio-based polyols enable enzymatic hydrolysis, while disulfide bonds impart redox- and photo-responsive degradability. This molecular architecture effectively breaks the conventional trade-offs between mechanical durability, degradability, and dynamic functionality. This elastomer demonstrates high tensile strength (36 MPa), elongation at break over 400%, and self-healing efficiency up to 98% at 80 °C. It also exhibits excellent UV-induced self-healing, achieving over 90% healing efficiency at ambient temperature after 24 h, while exhibiting reliable degradation under enzymatic, photochemical, and reductive environments.

Keywords

Self-healing ; Poly(urethane-urea) ; Disulfide bond ; Multi-pathway degradation ; Bio-based macro-diol

Purchased from AmBeed

DTT

A5876353483-12-395%

DTT

634.0/500g

Detail