Molecular Springs in Dynamic Covalent Polymer Networks

Dynamic polymers with remarkable energy dissipation and dampening are highly sought after for advanced applications. Here, spring-like aromatic foldamers were incorporated into the backbones of polymer networks cross-linked with dynamic Diels-Alder (DA) adducts or nondynamic static cross-linkers. Improved mechanical, self-healing, and dampening properties were found in networks with shorter chains, more aromatic stacked foldamer units, and dynamic DA adduct cross-links. These enhanced properties were attributed to the synergistic effects of the reversible elastic response to stress of spring-like aromatic foldamers and the DA adducts.