Scientists from the Chinese Academy of Sciences have developed the first polymer networks crosslinked using pnictogen bonds, a breakthrough reported in the journal Nature Chemistry. This novel approach utilizes dynamic bonds formed by group 15 elements, such as antimony, to connect polymer chains, offering a powerful alternative to traditional covalent crosslinks.
The research, led by Professor Liu Zhiyuan, demonstrates that these pnictogen-bonded networks exhibit remarkable self-healing properties at room temperature without any external stimulus. The dynamic and reversible nature of the pnictogen bonds allows the material to repair itself after being cut, simply by bringing the fractured surfaces into contact.
Beyond self-healing, the material is fully recyclable. The polymer networks can be dissolved and reprocessed multiple times without significant loss of their mechanical properties. This innovation opens new avenues for creating sustainable, high-performance plastics and elastomers for applications ranging from soft robotics to wearable electronics.
The team's work establishes pnictogen bonding as a fundamental new tool in polymer science, providing a unique combination of robustness and dynamic responsiveness that is difficult to achieve with conventional crosslinking chemistry.
