Tough and Multi‐Recyclable Cross‐Linked Supramolecular Polyureas via Incorporating Noncovalent Bonds into Main‐Chains

Abstract

Covalent thermosets generally exhibit robust mechanical properties, while they are fragile and lack the ability to be reprocessed or recycled. Herein, a new strategy of incorporating noncovalent bonds into main‐chains is developed to construct tough and multi‐recyclable cross‐linked supramolecular polyureas (CSPU), which are prepared via the copolymerization of diisocyanate monomers, noncovalently bonded diamine monomers linked by quadruple hydrogen bonds, and covalent diamine/triamine monomers. The CSPU exhibit remarkable solvent resistance and outstanding mechanical properties owing to the covalent cross‐linking via triamine monomer. Through the incorporation of 9.7% and 14.6% quadruple hydrogen bonded diamine monomer, the transparent CSPU films are endowed with superior toughness of 74.17 and 124.17 MJ m−3, respectively. Impressively, even after five generations of recycling processes, the mechanical properties of reprocessed CSPU can recover more than 95% of their original properties, displaying excellent multiple recyclablity. As a result, the superior toughness, remarkable solvent resistance, high transparency, and excellent multiple recyclability are well‐combined in the CSPU. It is highly anticipated that this line of research will provide a facile and general method to construct various cross‐linked polymer materials with superior recyclability and mechanical properties.