A novel type of self-healing silicone elastomers with reversible cross-linked network based on the disulfide, hydrogen and metal-ligand bonds

Herein, we report an innovative cross-linked network of silicone elastomer with good stretchability, thermal stability and autonomous self-healing. This type of elastomers was easily prepared by aminopropyl terminated polydimethylsiloxane (A-PDMS), thioctic acid (TA) and 2,6-pyridine dialdehyde (Py). As we know, TA was firstly incorporated into the reversible network of silicones to supply the dynamic disulfide bonds and endow the self-healing properties. Py was also introduced into the network which acted as the metal-ligand binding sites. Consequently, silicone elastomers with three different types of chemical interactions including the disulfide bonds, hydrogen bonds and metal-ligand bonds were obtained. Especially, they possessed good anticorrosion and strong adhesion affinity. We expected this type of silicone elastomers could be applied into the soft robotics, wearable electronics and stretchable circuit constructed.