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Photothermal-responsive self-healing PDMS-based elastomers for stretchable strain sensors
Ruijie Zhu1,2, Ling Ai2,3, Zhou Zhou2
1School of Materials Science and Engineering, Jiangxi University of Science and Technology Ganzhou 341000 Jiangxi China.
RSC Advances
|April 9, 2026
Summary
This study developed a novel photothermal-responsive self-healing elastomer based on polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). The material demonstrates excellent mechanical properties and efficient self-healing under UV light, making it ideal for flexible sensors.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Traditional self-healing elastomers often sacrifice strength for repair efficiency.
- Developing robust and reliable self-healing materials is crucial for advanced applications, particularly in sensors.
- Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-based systems offer a promising platform for multifunctional materials.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design and synthesize a photothermal-responsive self-healing PDMS elastomer (PUSE) that overcomes the strength-efficiency trade-off.
- To investigate the synergistic effects of dynamic disulfide and hydrogen bonds on self-healing and mechanical properties.
- To evaluate the performance of the PUSE elastomer as a substrate for flexible strain sensors.
Main Methods:
- Synthesized PUSE elastomer using PDMS, isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI), 4,4'-dithiobisdiphenylamine (APDS), and epoxy-functionalized cyclotetrasiloxane (TEC).
- Utilized dynamic disulfide and hydrogen bonds for reversible self-healing capabilities.
- Incorporated rigid phenyl and siloxane rings to enhance mechanical strength.
- Characterized mechanical properties (tensile strength, toughness, resilience) and self-healing efficiency under UV irradiation and thermal conditions.
- Assessed hydrophobicity and optical transparency.
- Fabricated and tested resistive strain sensors using the PUSE elastomer as a substrate.
Main Results:
- The optimized PUS3E elastomer achieved a tensile strength of 4.2 MPa, toughness of 9.85 MJ m⁻³, and resilience of 364.70%.
- Self-healing efficiency reached 94.76% under UV irradiation within 24 hours, outperforming thermal healing (74.90% at 70 °C).
- The material exhibited excellent hydrophobicity (water contact angle >100°) and optical transparency (T550nm = 87.5%).
- Resistive strain sensors fabricated on the PUS3E substrate accurately detected human body movements.
Conclusions:
- The developed PUSE elastomer effectively balances mechanical strength and self-healing efficiency through synergistic dynamic bonds and rigid structural elements.
- Photothermal-assisted healing offers a highly efficient and rapid repair mechanism.
- The material's properties make it a valuable substrate for high-performance flexible electronic sensors.
