Synergistic Effects of Hydrogen Bonding and Metal Coordination: Development of Intelligent and Wearable Protective Acrylic Materials

Abstract

Conductive shear-strengthening polymers hold promise as protective materials for smart wearables. In this study, a dynamic polymer was fabricated by incorporating quadruple hydrogen-bonding 2-ureido-4[1H]-pyrimidinone (UPy) groups into polyacrylic chains, together with lithium bis(trifluoromethane)sulfonimide lithium salt (LiTFSI) as an electrolyte, exploiting the synergistic effects of hydrogen bonding and lithium-ion coordination. The resulting material exhibits enhanced impact protection through shear-strengthening behavior and enables monitoring and alarm functions via its conductivity. Experimental results show significant advantages in impact resistance and mechanical toughness, with a maximum energy absorption of 93%, surpassing traditional materials. The sensor achieves a response time within 90 ms, greatly improving user safety. This work offers insights into the design of smart wearable devices, with broad application potential in flexible electronics and smart materials.