Tailoring biomimetic polymer networks towards an unprecedented combination of versatile mechanical characteristics.

ABSTRACT: Biomimetic polymeric materials, adopting the basic molecular design principles of biological materials, have been extensively studied in recent years but it is still challenging to combine assorted mechanical characteristics in a single material. Here, we present a simple and effective strategy to prepare mechanically robust yet resilient biomimetic polymer networks by utilizing dual noncovalent and covalent cross-linkings. Tailoring the dual cross-links consisting of thiourea noncovalent interactions and epoxy-amine covalent linkages in the biomimetic polymer networks enables a rare combination of excellent elastic modulus (1.1 GPa), yield stress (39 MPa), extensibility (320%), as well as complete strain and performance recovery after deformation at room temperature. The biomimetic polyme

SUBMITTER: Cha EJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9064385 | biostudies-literature | 2019 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature