‘Rigid–flexible’ strategy for high-strength, near-room-temperature self-healing, photo-thermally functionalised lignin-reinforced polyurethane elastomers

Lignin is the most abundant and only renewable aromatic polymer in nature. Herein, a flexible matrix and the rigid lignin were rationally integrated to prepare high-strength, near-room-temperature self-healing, processable lignin-reinforced polyurethane elastomers (LZPUs). Reversible hydrogen and oxime-amino ester bonds were introduced into the matrix to provide excellent dynamic properties and abundant ligands for lignin-matrix coordination bonds. Abundant metal coordination bonds were constructed between the matrix and lignin via the introduction of Zn