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Polyurethane elastomers based on triple reversible networks with accelerated self-healing by photothermal conversion
Jiale Li1, Ang Li1, Haijiang Zhang1
1State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, No. 15, Beisanhuan East Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100029, China. wuyx@mail.buct.edu.cn.
Materials Horizons
|April 14, 2026
Summary
New thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) supramolecular networks utilize hybrid hard segments for enhanced strength and self-healing. These materials offer robust performance and rapid recovery under near-infrared irradiation.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Supramolecular Chemistry
Background:
- Thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPUs) are versatile polymers with tunable properties.
- Supramolecular networks offer dynamic and reversible material characteristics.
- Developing advanced self-healing materials is crucial for extending product lifecycles and enabling new applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize and characterize novel thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) supramolecular networks.
- To investigate the synergistic effects of hybrid hard segments (1,4-benzoquinone dioxime (BQDO) and ureidopyrimidinone (UPy)) on network properties.
- To evaluate the photothermal self-healing capabilities of the developed TPU-QU elastomers under near-infrared (NIR) irradiation.
Main Methods:
- Pre-polymerization and chain extension techniques were employed to create TPU-QU supramolecular networks.
- The composition of hybrid hard segments was controlled by adjusting the feed ratio of BQDO to UPy.
- Material properties including tensile strength, dissociation temperature, activation energy for reorganization, and self-healing efficiency were measured.
- Photothermal conversion efficiency was assessed under 808 nm NIR irradiation.
Main Results:
- TPU-QU supramolecular networks exhibited triple reversible networks due to hydrogen bonding, π-π stacking, and oxime-urethane bonds.
- The hybrid hard segments significantly enhanced network strength (24.1 MPa) and reversibility (dissociation point of 116.5 °C).
- Robust self-healing was achieved with 99.2% efficiency under NIR irradiation (200 mW cm⁻²), attributed to efficient photothermal conversion by BQDO units (reaching 180 °C).
Conclusions:
- Synergistic effects in hybrid hard segments simultaneously improve network strength and reversibility in TPUs.
- BQDO units act as effective photothermal sites, enabling rapid NIR-induced self-healing.
- These advanced TPU-QU elastomers show significant potential for applications in soft electronics and self-healing materials.
