Adaptive bio-based polyurethane elastomers engineered by ionic hydrogen bonding interactions

The intrinsic responsiveness properties of non-covalent interactions are appealing for the preparation of soft polymer networks with unique adaptive properties. The synthesis of supramolecular polyurethane elastomers is achieved using post-synthetic non-covalent cross linking approach based on ionic hydrogen bonding interactions. The ionic networks are formed between the tertiary amino groups of side chain functional castor oil-derived polyurethane and small-molecular biological acids such as sebacic acid, suberic acid, oxalic acid, and citric acid. The obtained polymers have some promising material properties concerning energy dissipation through stress, shape-regeneration property, as well as recycling/reshaping and self-healing capabilities.