Polysiloxane-based two-photon fluorescent elastomers with superior mechanical and self-healing properties and their application in bioimaging†
Abstract
For the first time, two-photon fluorescent polysiloxane-based elastomers with a superior self-healing property are reported. Benzoxazine-incorporated polysiloxane (P1) has been successfully synthesized via a “one-pot” Mannich reaction. Unlike the typical method for fabrication of benzoxazine-functionalized polysiloxanes (PDMS), benzoxazine can directly attach to the main chains of PDMS without the need for heavy metal catalysts. After thermal treatment, the benzoxazine ring undergoes a ring-opening process and cross-linked sites are built up. Finally, novel polysiloxane-based elastomers with a dynamic dual cross-linked network were obtained (Cns). Cns showed an excellent self-healing property. A unique two-photon fluorescent property of Cns was detected for the first time. Moreover, C3 was selected to act as a cell adhesive and exhibited fine cytocompatibility. This report represents the first example of self-healing materials with potential application in bioscience, and will bring new insights into self-healing materials.