Many natural biopolymers not only have advanced mechanical properties such as high modulus, toughness, and elasticity, but also exhibit dynamic properties. Inspired by Nature, we have designed a series of biomimetic modular polymers with folded nano-domains as the repeat units. These new material manifest an exciting combination of key mechanical, as well as adaptive, properties that have until now proven difficult to achieve in man-made systems. Single molecule force was used to directly correlate the exceptional mechanical properties with their single molecule properties. Recently, we developed an exciting biomimetic concept for designing stiff and spontaneous self-healing polymers. In contrast to previous designs, our system spontaneously self-heals as a single-component solid at ambient conditions without the need of any external stimulus, healing agent, plasticizer, or solvent.   In this presentation, I will discuss the design, synthesis, and single molecule and macroscopic property studies of our biomimetic dynamic polymers, including stiff and autonomic self-healing systems.

Biomimetic design of dynamic and self-healing polymers

248th National Meeting (2014)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.