Bio-inspired reinforcement of cyclosiloxane hybrid polymer via ‘molecular stitching’

Abstract Cyclosiloxane hybrid polymer (CHP) was identified as a nacre-like structure, and was reinforced in a bio-inspired way through the incorporation of soft PDMS segment. Simultaneous improvement in both toughness and strength was observed, and the corresponding reinforcing mechanism was proposed to explain this phenomenon. It is believed that PDMS exited as two phases in the CHP. The homogeneously dispersed PDMS chains contribute positively to both the toughness and the strength via ‘molecular stitching', the phase separated PDMS particles improve the toughness but deteriorate the strength. Other types of siloxane-based additives were incorporated to prove the mechanism proposed.