Dynamic covalent bond and metal coordination bond-cross-linked silicone elastomers with excellent mechanical and aggregation-induced emission properties

Silicone elastomers with excellent mechanical and fluorescence properties were prepared based on structures with dual cross-linking through dynamic covalent bonds and metal coordination bonds. Salicylaldehyde-modified tetraphenylene derivatives with aggregation-induced emission (AIE) properties were involved in the construction of the dual cross-linked network as concentrated cross-linking sites. Compared with single cross-linked elastomers, the properties of elastomers with dual cross-linked networks were significantly enhanced. It was found that the mechanical properties of elastomers can be tuned by adjusting the type and content of metal ions. In addition, the fluorescence properties of the elastomer were influenced by the type of metal ions involved in the coordination. Meanwhile, the elastomers have excellent recyclability and self-healing properties due to the reversibility of their dynamic covalent and metal coordination bonds.