journal article·2025-09

Dragonfly Wing‐Inspired Reticular Hierarchical Structure Enables Strong and Tough Supramolecular Elastomers

Qingchuang Lu, Lei Duan, Yao Liu, Chenrui Zhang, Zebo Zhang, Zhenyang Luo, Cheng‐Hui Li, Yanlong Luo

Advanced Functional Materials· Volume 35· Issue 36
Publisher page

Abstract

Abstract Dragonfly wings possess exceptionally high strength, toughness, and fatigue resistance due to their unique hierarchical structure from the micro to macro scale. Inspired by this, mismatched supramolecular interactions (MMSIs) are introduced into the dynamic acylsemicarbazide groups, constructing an interconnected hybrid network of soft and hard segments in the SPUU‐DS elastomer. This design, featuring a dense array of hydrogen bonds, achieves exceptional mechanical properties: a true stress at breaks of 1.1 GPa comparable to that of typical spider silk (0.8–1.5 GPa); toughness of 325.54 MJ m −3 , twice that of typical spider silk (≈160 MJ m −3 ); and a fracture energy of 232.83 kJ m −2 , surpassing many metals and alloys. Furthermore, a monitoring device with a “hamburger” structure is developed by integrating SPUU‐DS with a conductive graphene film. When placed inside a tire, this device enhances the tire's puncture resistance by approximately twofold. By correlating the resistance signals with puncture angles, the system enables the detection of damage at various locations on the tire, allowing for timely repair of damage and preventing traffic accidents. This novel biomimetic approach, inspired by dragonfly wings, provides valuable insights for designing healable elastomers with superior mechanical properties.
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline

Research context

OpenAlex topics: Polymer composites and self-healing · Advanced Materials and Mechanics · Marine Biology and Environmental Chemistry

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

College of Science, Nanjing Forestry University Nanjing 210037 P. R. China

School of Chemical Engineering and Materials Changzhou Institute of Technology Changzhou 213032 P. R. China

Department of Ultrasound The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University Nanjing 210000 P. R. China

State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry Nanjing University Nanjing 210023 P. R. China

Funding

National Natural Science Foundation of China · Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province

References (40)

Show source-provided references
1. 10.1126/science.aao035010.1126/science.aao0350 ↗
2. 10.1126/science.aap811410.1126/science.aap8114 ↗
3. 10.1002/adfm.20210634110.1002/adfm.202106341 ↗
4. 10.1002/smll.20230718610.1002/smll.202307186 ↗
5. 10.1002/adfm.20240259210.1002/adfm.202402592 ↗
6. 10.1002/adfm.20231378710.1002/adfm.202313787 ↗
7. 10.1002/adfm.20240238010.1002/adfm.202402380 ↗
8. 10.1002/smll.20230582510.1002/smll.202305825 ↗
9. 10.1038/s41467-019-10616-z10.1038/s41467-019-10616-z ↗
10. 10.1038/s41467-018-03549-610.1038/s41467-018-03549-6 ↗
11. 10.1002/adma.20230028610.1002/adma.202300286 ↗
12. 10.1002/adfm.20210309710.1002/adfm.202103097 ↗
13. 10.1002/adma.20221213010.1002/adma.202212130 ↗
14. 10.1002/smll.20240181510.1002/smll.202401815 ↗
15. 10.1038/s41586-020-2843-210.1038/s41586-020-2843-2 ↗
16. 10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2023.11230310.1016/j.eurpolymj.2023.112303 ↗
17. 10.1002/adfm.20241308310.1002/adfm.202413083 ↗
18. 10.1016/j.cej.2024.14899410.1016/j.cej.2024.148994 ↗
19. 10.1002/adfm.20240655710.1002/adfm.202406557 ↗
20. Sealy C. · Mater. Today. · 2017 · 20 · 1369
21. 10.1016/j.matt.2021.05.00110.1016/j.matt.2021.05.001 ↗
22. Wang L. · Angew. Chem., Int. Ed. · 2023 · 62
23. 10.1002/adma.20231175810.1002/adma.202311758 ↗
24. 10.1038/nature1073910.1038/nature10739 ↗
25. 10.1529/biophysj.106.08914410.1529/biophysj.106.089144 ↗
26. 10.1016/j.cej.2020.12830010.1016/j.cej.2020.128300 ↗
27. 10.1002/adma.20221145610.1002/adma.202211456 ↗
28. 10.1039/C9TA04840E10.1039/C9TA04840E ↗
29. 10.1002/adma.20210149810.1002/adma.202101498 ↗
30. 10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.13333410.1016/j.jclepro.2022.133334 ↗
31. 10.1039/D3MH01987J10.1039/D3MH01987J ↗
32. 10.1002/adma.20190124410.1002/adma.201901244 ↗
33. 10.1002/adfm.20231384210.1002/adfm.202313842 ↗
34. 10.1002/adma.20170659410.1002/adma.201706594 ↗
35. 10.1002/adfm.20190710910.1002/adfm.201907109 ↗
36. 10.1021/acsami.9b1104110.1021/acsami.9b11041 ↗
37. 10.1038/s41467-021-21577-710.1038/s41467-021-21577-7 ↗
38. 10.1021/acs.macromol.0c0166710.1021/acs.macromol.0c01667 ↗
39. 10.1021/acsapm.3c0065810.1021/acsapm.3c00658 ↗
40. 10.1039/D0TA11251H10.1039/D0TA11251H ↗