Weaving-inspired asymmetric entangled nodes in multi-component polymer networks

Achieving the efficient integration and synergy of multi-component polymers is an effective approach for the development of new polymer materials and breakthroughs in performance. However, there are still considerable challenges in achieving molecular-level integration of multi-component polymers. Here we report polymer chain entanglement through asymmetric entangled nodes, inspired by macroscopic woven materials with different warp and weft strands, achieving the integration of polyurethane and epoxy resin chains at the molecular level. The abundant dynamic entanglements within the polymer network, reminiscent of woven topologies, enable the flexible polyurethane chains and rigid epoxy chains to work synergistically under external stress, thereby imparting excellent mechanical and adhesive properties to the final network. This study demonstrates the potential of weaving-inspired molecular-level entanglement in polymer integration and performance modulation, while also providing an important reference for the design of novel multi-component polymeric materials through weaving-inspired strategies.