Recent Progress in Double Network Elastomers: One Plus One is Greater Than Two

• DOI: 10.1002/adfm.202110244
• Publication Date: 2022-02-04T10:48:05Z
• Authors: Jia Yang; Ke Li; Chen Tang; Zhuangzhuang Liu; Jianghuan Fan; Gang Qin; Wei Cui; Lin Zhu; Qiang Chen
• Keywords: Toughening; Soft materials

Abstract Human beings cannot live without elastomers, which exist almost everywhere in human life nowadays. Although elastomers with a variety of features are developed for specific applications, timeless topic is how to toughen them, because mechanical properties always determine the reliability and lifespan utilized elastomers. Toughening soft material has long history main idea widely accepted, i.e., building energy dissipation into stretchy networks. Double network (DN) method most pioneering representative practice materials toughening, successfully applied numerous hydrogel systems. Intensive studies on DN systems implemented relevant reviews well documented, whereas important about absent. In this review, recent progress toughening using strategy reviewed. By reviewing fabrication methods extensions, mechanisms at different length scales, functionalities, applications sequence, it shown one polymer plus another gives rise tough elastomer superior properties. It believed that review can give some insight existing inspire development next‐generation materials.