A temperature-responsive, reusable PTA-AgNO3-CS supramolecular polymer for 3D printing and strain sensing

Supramolecular polymers, formed through hydrogen bonds and dynamic metal coordination bonds, exhibit excellent reversibility and recyclability. In this study, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) was used as a solvent to synthesize a PTA-AgNO 3 -CS (PAC) supramolecular polymer from thioctic acid (TA), silver nitrate (AgNO 3 ), and chitosan (CS). The non-covalent interactions in PAC enable self-healing and temperature responsiveness. This polymer demonstrates superior mechanical properties, freeze resistance, moisture retention, hemolysis resistance, blood clotting promotion, and antibacterial activity. Capable of 3D printing and repeated fabrication, PAC meets personalized tissue engineering scaffold requirements while reducing production costs. Doped with carbon nanotubes (CNTs), the polymer achieves enhanced conductivity, fatigue resistance, strain sensing sensitivity, and cyclic stability. Field tests using human motion monitoring have confirmed its effectiveness as a reliable strain sensor.