A tough, smart elastomeric bio-based hyperbranched polyurethane nanocomposite

Abstract

Herein, we fabricate an elastomeric nanocomposite using castor oil-based hyperbranched polyurethane (HPU) and iron oxide nanoparticles decorated reduced graphene oxide (IO–RGO) nanohybrid by an in situ polymerization technique. The designed nanocomposite not only exhibits good thermal properties but also possesses excellent mechanical properties such as tensile strength (24.15 MPa), tensile modulus (28.55 MPa) and toughness (110.8 MJ m⁻³). In addition, the nanocomposite demonstrates rapid and repeatable self-healing abilities under exposure of 20–30 s microwave power input (180–360 W) and by direct sunlight exposure (10⁵ lux) for 5–7.5 min. It also demonstrates excellent shape-recovery ability under microwave power (30–60 s) as well as in direct sunlight (1–2.5 min). Thus, the studied tough polymeric material has potential advanced applications.