A Highly Self-Healable Elastomer Based on Heterocyclic and Cage-Shaped Additives with Enhanced Mechanical Properties

Abstract

A highly self-healable elastomer based on heterocyclic and cage-shaped moieties is prepared, and its self-healing and mechanical properties are investigated. Introducing these functional moieties into a conventional elastomer significantly enhanced reversible physical interactions through intensified hydrophobic and hydrogen bonding interactions facilitated by the cage-shaped and heterocyclic structures. The self-healable elastomer exhibits outstanding optical properties, thermal stability, mechanical properties, and self-healing performance compared to a conventional elastomer lacking these functional groups. These results are attributed to the formation of a unique supramolecular network driven by strong hydrophobic interactions between cage-shaped adamantane groups and the hydrophobic regions in the matrix, along with intensified hydrogen bonding between the urethane and heterocyclic groups.