Mechanically robust polyurethane elastomers enabled by soft-segment-regulated hydrogen bonds and microphase separation for ultrasound imaging medical catheters
Yanlong Luo, Qing‐Yi Lu, Junfeng Lu, Zuqian Chen, Chichao Li, Zhenyang Luo, Wu Cai, Cheng‐Hui Li, Zhengdong Fei, Qingbo Lu, Yao Liu
Abstract
-values that surpass those of many metals and alloys. Furthermore, its true fracture stress reaches 1.03 GPa, comparable to that of spider silk, while its toughness is approximately 2.3 times higher, demonstrating a remarkable combination of strength and toughness. The dynamic yet dense hydrogen bond network, strategically balanced in both strength and reversibility, enables efficient energy dissipation during deformation, while the SIC activated by aligned soft segments facilitates elastomer self-reinforcement. Finally, by combining the antibacterial properties endowed by intrinsic acylhydrazine groups (bacterial survival rate <20%) and the introduction of rigid polyurethane foam as an acoustic impedance modifier, high-contrast ultrasound imaging of TPU wires has been successfully achieved.