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Bridging small molecule calculations and predictable polymer mechanical properties

Author

Listed:
  • Luping Wang

    (Shandong University)

  • Kaiqiang Zhang

    (Shandong University)

  • Kaiyang Hou

    (Shandong University)

  • Yuguo Xia

    (Shandong University)

  • Xu Wang

    (Shandong University
    Hong Kong Research Institute of Shandong University)

Abstract

For decades, the prediction of polymer material properties using macromolecular computational methods has faced significant challenges due to the requirement for extensive databases, inefficiencies in computation time, and limitations in predictive accuracy. Herein we discover that the calculated binding energy of supramolecular fragments correlates linearly with the mechanical properties of polyurethane elastomers. This finding suggests that small molecule calculations may offer a more efficient way to predict polymer performance. Experimental validation supports this insight, with the top-performing elastomer exhibiting a toughness of 1.1 GJ m−3, along with high mechanical strength, transparency, scalability, self-healing capability, and recyclability. Furthermore, this material presents a performance-to-cost ratio double that of commercially available high-performance elastomers, unlocking potential for broader applications where current materials may fall short.

Suggested Citation

  • Luping Wang & Kaiqiang Zhang & Kaiyang Hou & Yuguo Xia & Xu Wang, 2025. "Bridging small molecule calculations and predictable polymer mechanical properties," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-11, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-62449-8
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-62449-8
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    3. Burebi Yiming & Simon Hubert & Alex Cartier & Bruno Bresson & Gabriel Mello & Armelle Ringuede & Costantino Creton, 2025. "Elastic, strong and tough ionically conductive elastomers," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-11, December.
    4. Youngho Eom & Seon-Mi Kim & Minkyung Lee & Hyeonyeol Jeon & Jaeduk Park & Eun Seong Lee & Sung Yeon Hwang & Jeyoung Park & Dongyeop X. Oh, 2021. "Mechano-responsive hydrogen-bonding array of thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer captures both strength and self-healing," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-11, December.
    5. Chenyu Jiang & Luzhi Zhang & Qi Yang & Shixing Huang & Hongpeng Shi & Qiang Long & Bei Qian & Zenghe Liu & Qingbao Guan & Mingjian Liu & Renhao Yang & Qiang Zhao & Zhengwei You & Xiaofeng Ye, 2021. "Self-healing polyurethane-elastomer with mechanical tunability for multiple biomedical applications in vivo," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-13, December.
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