Bioinspired engineering of sacrificial bonds into rubber networks towards high-performance and functional elastomers

Elastomers with unique high elasticity are recognized as strategic materials. The development of elastomers with the combination of high-performance and functionality is of great importance. In recent years, inspired by the structural characteristics of natural materials, the concept of sacrificial bonding has been successfully applied in the design of elastomeric materials, aiming at significantly improving mechanical and functional properties. In this short review, followed by brief description of the principle of sacrificial bonding, we summarize the main progress of the design of the elastomers with sacrificial bonds, and the main performance characteristics. The sacrificial units, including the covalent and non-covalent sacrificial bonds, may be engineered in rubber chains or the interfaces of rubber nanocomposites. In addition, the mechanisms of sacrificial bonding in conferring the functionalities have been described. Several important functionalities, including shape memory effects, damping and self-healing capability combined with robustness, are introduced. Based on the state of the art of the elastomers with sacrificial bonds, the prospective and challenges of are accordingly presented and discussed.