A Transparent, Healable and Recyclable Alicyclic Poly(ether-b-amide) Multiblock Copolymer with Ultrahigh Toughness

Self-healing polyamide multiblock copolymer with robust mechanical properties is highly desired. Here, an alicyclic diamine monomer, isophoronediamine (IPDA), with asymmetric structure and substantial steric hindrance was incorporated into the backbone of poly(ether-b-amide) multiblock copolymer. Based on the phase-lock effect, the mechanical properties and segmental mobility of copolymers can be modulated on a large scale via adjusting the molecular weight of hard segments. An extraordinary tensile strength of 32.0 MPa and an excellent elongation at break of 1881 % were simultaneously achieved, which leaded to a record-high toughness of 328.9 MJ m(-3) for self-healable polyamide elastomers. The synergism between the dynamic H-bonding networks and the diffusion of polymer chains contributed to a balance between the mechanical performance and self-healing efficiency of copolymers. Due to the adjustable mechanical performance, rapid scratch self-healing ability and superior impact resistance, the resultant copolymers showed great potential in the fields of protective coatings and soft electronics.

Automated summary

By incorporating isophoronediamine (IPDA), an alicyclic diamine monomer with asymmetric structure and steric hindrance, into the backbone of poly(ether-b-amide) multiblock copolymer, the mechanical properties and segmental mobility of copolymers can be modulated on a large scale. The resulting self-healing polyamide elastomers exhibited extraordinary tensile strength, excellent elongation at break, and record-high toughness due to the synergism between dynamic H-bonding networks and polymer chain diffusion. These copolymers showed great potential in protective coatings and soft electronics due to their adjustable mechanical performance, rapid scratch self-healing ability, and superior impact resistance.