Dual Reversible Network Nanoarchitectonics for Ultrafast Light-Controlled Healable and Tough Polydimethylsiloxane-Based Composite Elastomers

Itis highly desirable to develop polydimethylsiloxane(PDMS) elastomerswith high self-healing efficiency and excellent mechanical properties.However, most self-healable materials reported to date still takeseveral hours to self-heal and improving the self-healing propertyoften comes at the expense of mechanical properties. Herein, a simpledesign strategy of dual reversible network nanoarchitectonics is reportedfor constructing ultrafast light-controlled healable (40 s) and tough(& AP;7.2 MJ m(-3)) PDMS-based composite elastomers.The rupture reconstruction of dynamic bonds and the reinforcementeffect of carbon nanotubes (10 wt %) endowed our composite elastomerwith excellent fracture toughness that originated from a good yieldstrength (& AP;1.1 MPa) and stretchability (& AP;882%). Moreover,carbon nanotubes can quickly and directly heat the damaged area ofthe composite to achieve its ultrafast repair with the assistanceof dynamic polymer/filler interfacial interaction, greatly shorteningthe self-healing time (12 h). The self-healing performance is superiorto that of reported self-healable PDMS-based materials. This novelstrategy and the as-prepared supramolecular elastomer can inspirefurther various practical applications, such as remote anti-icing/deicingmaterials.

Automated summary

This study presents a simple design strategy for the construction of ultrafast light-controlled healable and tough PDMS-based composite elastomers. The composite elastomer exhibits excellent fracture toughness, self-healing efficiency, and mechanical properties due to the rupture reconstruction of dynamic bonds and the reinforcement effect of carbon nanotubes.