Meniscus‐Inspired Segmented Network Intercalation Strategy: Stiffened yet Toughened Toward Healable Antifouling Materials
Junhao Xie, Hao Wu, Jinqiu Tao, Lu Zhou, Xudong Liu, Yunbo Tong, Shenzhen Li, Shuai Qi, Qianping Ran
Abstract
Abstract Healable antifouling materials contribute a paradigm shift for extending marine infrastructure lifespan by forming continuable biofouling barriers. However, achieving sustainable performance in extreme marine mechanical stresses remains challenging due to the difficulty of integrating stiffness, toughness, and healing performance with antifouling efficacy. Inspired by the meniscus, which facilitates efficient load absorption and distribution ability through the remarkable resilience and accurate intercalation between thigh and calf bones, the structural‐bioinspired segmented network intercalation strategy is proposed. This approach integrates a secondary network with meniscus‐inspired bisphenol segments into the primary, reorganizing rigid phases and optimizing crosslinking in the primary to ensure uniform stress dissipation and augment molecular dynamism. This design yields 212.32% increase in Young’ s modulus (362.42 MPa), 55.62% improvement in toughness (169.52 MJ m − 3 ), and an enhancement in self‐healing efficiency from 72.81% to 98.75%. This strategy establishes a new design principle for durable healable antifouling materials, combining enhanced mechanical properties with resistance against marine biofouling.