Highly Mechanical Polyurethane Elastomers with UV-Assisted Self-Healing for Use as Conductive Polymer Substrates

Abstract

Polymeric materials integrating high mechanical strength, electrical conductivity, and self-healing capabilities demonstrate significant potential for advanced flexible electronics. Nevertheless, concurrent optimization of these mutually exclusive properties remains a critical challenge in materials design. A UV-responsive self-healing polyurethane elastomer (HEOMC-0.5) was synthesized via one-pot copolymerization, incorporating multiple hydrogen bonds and coumarin-derived photoreversible cross-links. Subsequent integration of carbon nanotubes (CNTs, 5 wt %) yielded an electrically conductive composite (HEOMC-0.5-CNTs). The composite exhibited exceptional mechanical (a mechanical strength of 28.42 MPa and a tensile strain of 1528.57%) and self-healing properties (a healing efficiency of 88.99%). Upon doping with CNTs, it possessed an electrical conductivity of 0.2098 mS/cm. Due to the self-healing property of HEOMC-0.5-CNTs, it can act as a “switch” in the circuit to control the lighting on and off of small bulbs through its healing ability. This synergistic design combines dynamic covalent networks with supramolecular interactions, enabling multifunctional polyurethanes. The integrated mechanical, electrical, and self-healing performance establishes a versatile strategy for advanced flexible electronics.