Cutting-edge technology: Chinese researchers have developed a super-strong, water-resistant polyurethane elastomer (WPUE)!

Release time:

2025-11-07

In the global pursuit of sustainable development, striking a balance between industrial progress and ecological conservation has become a critical challenge. Traditional thermoplastic polyurethane elastomers (TPUE) use organic solvents during production, releasing volatile organic compounds (VOCs). While waterborne polyurethane elastomers (WPUE) serve as a green alternative that significantly reduces environmental pollution, they have long struggled with insufficient mechanical strength—a persistent bottleneck that limits their widespread adoption.
Researchers from Xi'an Jiaotong University and the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology have jointly developed a high-performance waterborne polyurethane elastomer (HPWPUE). This innovative material not only adheres to green chemistry principles but also achieves remarkable properties: 0.959 GJ/m³ toughness and 81.8 MPa strength, surpassing most commercial thermoplastic polyurethane elastomers (TPUEs). The breakthrough stems from a self-reinforcement mechanism called "delayed crystallization response," which utilizes a dynamic biphasic structure formed by symmetric monomers and hierarchical hydrogen bonding. This advancement provides a sustainable and high-performance alternative to traditional TPUEs. The study, titled "High-Performance Waterborne Polyurethane Inspired by Delayed Crystallization Response," was published in Nature Communications.
In conclusion, the successful development of HPWPUE demonstrates that eco-friendly materials can be created without compromising mechanical properties. The delayed crystallization mechanism, which balances hydrogen bonding with chain segment crystallization tendencies, offers a novel approach for designing next-generation high-performance sustainable elastomers. The large-scale production of HPWPUE (1.5 m×1.5 m×1 mm films) and its successful application in protective glove coatings highlight its industrial potential. Moving forward, this strategy could be extended to more polymer systems, driving the design and development of sustainable high-performance elastomers.

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Cutting-edge technology: Chinese researchers have developed a super-strong, water-resistant polyurethane elastomer (WPUE)!