Self-Healable and Transparent Elastomers Based on Dual Reversible Networks

The fabrication of silicon elastomer with good mechanical properties and self-healing ability is still a challenge. Herein, a facile method to fabricate a transparent healable double-network (DN) elastomer by introducing polyborosiloxane (PBS) into self-healing polydimethylsiloxane (HPDMS) networks is demonstrated. Tensile testing shows that the mechanical properties of PBS and HPDMS are both improved. The DN elastomer shows high transparency across the visible spectrum with an average transmittance of 75%. Because of the breakage and reconstruction of reversible imine bonds and B-O dative bonds, the elastomer exhibits excellent self-healing properties with a maximum healing efficiency of 98% at room temperature. Meanwhile, the elastomer can be repeatedly reprocessed with a recovery of 85% of virgin mechanical strengths. This work provides a new insight to design transparent, self-healing silicone elastomers with a simple and eco-friendly method.