Dynamic vitrimer-like polydimethylsiloxane elastomers with tailored crosslinking networks for wearable sensors and temperature-responsive devices

• Vitrimer-like PDMS with three mixed crosslinking networks are developed. • Disulfide-bond crosslinking elastomers exhibit superior mechanical properties and self-healing behaviors. • The self-healing properties can be optimized via the PDMS molecular weight and the variety and density of dynamic bonds. • PDMS-CNTs composites display outstanding properties, showing high promise for wearable devices and temperature sensors. Vitrimers uniquely combine the advantages of thermosetting and thermoplastic polymers, yet optimizing their mechanical properties through crosslinking network design remains an open challenge. Herein, vitrimer-like polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) elastomers featuring mixed crosslinking networks have been developed via a thiol-ene click reaction between tetra-thiol monomers and acrylate-terminated monomers (acrylate-terminated PDMS(A-PDMS x ) and acrylate-terminated disulphide (MA-SS-MA)). The resulting networks comprise permanent crosslinking provided by A-PDMS x , disulfide-bond dynamic crosslinking derived from MA-SS-MA, and hydrogen-bond dynamic crosslinking based on urethane, ester, and free hydroxy-terminated PDMS. The elastomers exhibit increased tensile strength (1.95 MPa), a remarkable elongation at break (570 %), improved toughness (1.17 MJ m −3 ), as well as excellent self-healing properties tunable through the PDMS molecular weight and the variety and density of dynamic bonds. Furthermore, its composites with carbon nanotubes display outstanding flexibility, electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, and self-healing properties, positioning them as ideal candidates for next-generation wearable electronics, soft robotics, and advanced temperature sensors.

Authors

Institutions

Publication Details

Journal
Chemical Engineering Journal
Published
2025-04-18
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2025.162827
Citations
9
Primary Topic
Polymer composites and self-healing
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
5.46
Controls
|||
ALL TIME
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
article

Dynamic vitrimer-like polydimethylsiloxane elastomers with tailored crosslinking networks for wearable sensors and temperature-responsive devices

Pingjing Mo, Hongding Tang, Chengxi Liu, Shang Gong et al.
9 citations
Chemical Engineering Journal
Polymer composites and self-healing
5.46
article

Dynamic vitrimer-like polydimethylsiloxane elastomers with tailored crosslinking networks for wearable sensors and temperature-responsive devices

Pingjing Mo, Hongding Tang, Chengxi Liu, Shang Gong, Miluo Huang, Junwei Li, Ying Xiong
article en
9 citations

Abstract

• Vitrimer-like PDMS with three mixed crosslinking networks are developed. • Disulfide-bond crosslinking elastomers exhibit superior mechanical properties and self-healing behaviors. • The self-healing properties can be optimized via the PDMS molecular weight and the variety and density of dynamic bonds. • PDMS-CNTs composites display outstanding properties, showing high promise for wearable devices and temperature sensors. Vitrimers uniquely combine the advantages of thermosetting and thermoplastic polymers, yet optimizing their mechanical properties through crosslinking network design remains an open challenge. Herein, vitrimer-like polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) elastomers featuring mixed crosslinking networks have been developed via a thiol-ene click reaction between tetra-thiol monomers and acrylate-terminated monomers (acrylate-terminated PDMS(A-PDMS x ) and acrylate-terminated disulphide (MA-SS-MA)). The resulting networks comprise permanent crosslinking provided by A-PDMS x , disulfide-bond dynamic crosslinking derived from MA-SS-MA, and hydrogen-bond dynamic crosslinking based on urethane, ester, and free hydroxy-terminated PDMS. The elastomers exhibit increased tensile strength (1.95 MPa), a remarkable elongation at break (570 %), improved toughness (1.17 MJ m −3 ), as well as excellent self-healing properties tunable through the PDMS molecular weight and the variety and density of dynamic bonds. Furthermore, its composites with carbon nanotubes display outstanding flexibility, electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, and self-healing properties, positioning them as ideal candidates for next-generation wearable electronics, soft robotics, and advanced temperature sensors.

Chemical Engineering JournalVol. 513
Wuhan University (CN), Huazhong University of Science and Technology (CN)
Affordable and clean energy
Openalex Percentile: Top 4%
Polymer composites and self-healing
5.46
AI Navigator

Ask Laika to Summarize, Analyze, and Connect papers live on the map.

Summarize Papers & Methodologies

Extract key findings, datasets, and comparative methods across publications.

Benchmark Rankings & Visual Analytics

Rank top research institutions, authors, funders, topics, and journals by Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) and paper volume with instant charts.

Connect Distant Disciplines

Bridge topological clusters on the map to find hidden collaborative intersections.