Robust, healable and hydrophobically recoverable polydimethylsiloxane based supramolecular material with dual-activate hard segment

In this paper, a novel dual-activate hard segment strategy is proposed for the fabrication of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) based supramolecular polymer (PDMS-PDITC-IPDI). The unique design endows the PDMS-PDITC-IPDI with high toughness (43.1–24.5 MJ/m3), tensile strength (11.3–6.6 MPa) and elongation at break (730%–615%), and the mechanical properties and dynamic property can be regulated by varying degrees of hard segment activation. Moreover, the PDMS-PDITC-IPDI polymers exhibit excellent self-recovery property during successive loading-unloading processes. Additionally, both wettability damage caused by O2 plasma treatment and mechanical damage can be healed by simple heating, showing good hydrophobic recovery and self-healability. Taking advantages of merits of the PDMS-PDITC-IPDI, the applications of the material as recyclable adhesive and 3D printing material are also investigated.