Hydrogen-Bond-Network-Driven Biodegradable PLA Elastomer with High Strength and Toughness

Elastomers are widely used in various applications, yet the development of biodegradable elastomers with exceptional strength and toughness remains a significant challenge. In this study, a poly(lactic acid) (PLA)-based elastomer with a high biodegradable segment content and superior mechanical properties is fabricated through structural optimization. The presence of densely packed and uniformly distributed hydrogen bonds is identified as a key factor in enhancing the mechanical performance. The resulting elastomer and its fabricated fibers exhibit impressive characteristics, including a high tensile strength of 103.2 MPa and an exceptional toughness of 372.8 MJ/m3, while maintaining excellent degradability. PLAU elastomers surpass the existing PLA-based materials in performance, offering broader application prospects in industries, such as healthcare and packaging. Through innovative design and synthesis strategies, PLAU can be compounded with biomass fibers, further advancing its practical use in fields such as automotive engineering, demonstrating strong versatility and market potential.