Poly(Ionic Liquid) Double-Network Elastomers with High-Impact Resistance Enhanced by Cation-π Interactions

With the continuous development of impact protection materials, lightweight, high-impact resistance, flexibility, and controllable toughness are required. Here, tough and impact-resistant poly(ionic liquid) (PIL)/poly(hydroxyethyl acrylate) (PHEA) double-network (DN) elastomers are constructed via multiple cross-linking of polymer networks and cation-pi interactions of PIL chains. Benefiting from the strong noncovalent cohesion achieved by the cation-pi interactions in PIL chains, the prepared PIL DN elastomers exhibit extraordinary compressive strength (95.24 +/- 2.49 MPa) and toughness (55.98 +/- 0.66 MJ m(-3)) under high-velocity impact load (5000 s(-1)). The synthesized PIL DN elastomer combines strength and flexibility to protect fragile items from impact. This strategy provides a new research idea in the field of the next generation of safety and protective materials.