Affiliation:
1. State Key Laboratory of Solid Lubrication Lanzhou Institute of Chemical Physics Chinese Academy of Sciences Lanzhou 730000 China
2. Center of Materials Science and Optoelectronics Engineering University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing 100049 China
3. Key Laboratory of Science and Technology on Wear and Protection of Materials Lanzhou Institute of Chemical Physics Chinese Academy of Sciences Lanzhou 730000 China
Abstract
AbstractAdvances in modern industrial technology continue to place stricter demands on engineering polymeric materials, but simultaneously possessing superior strength and toughness remains a daunting challenge. Herein, a pioneering flexible cage‐reinforced supramolecular elastomer (CSE) is reported that exhibits superb robustness, tear resistance, anti‐fatigue, and shape memory properties, achieved by innovatively introducing organic imide cages (OICs) into supramolecular networks. Intriguingly, extremely small amounts of OICs make the elastomer stronger, significantly improving mechanical strength (85.0 MPa; ≈10‐fold increase) and toughness (418.4 MJ m−3; ≈7‐fold increase). Significantly, the cooperative effect of gradient hydrogen bonds and OICs is experimentally and theoretically demonstrated as flexible nodes, enabling more robust supramolecular networks. In short, the proposed strengthening strategy of adding flexible cages effectively balances the inherent conflict between material strength and toughness, and the prepared CSEs are anticipated to be served in large‐scale devices such as TBMs in the future.
Funder
Youth Innovation Promotion Association of the Chinese Academy of Sciences
National Natural Science Foundation of China
Chinese Academy of Sciences
Subject
Mechanical Engineering,Mechanics of Materials,General Materials Science