NIR-triggered rapid self-healing polyimide with on-demand tunable friction properties

The rigid chain structure of polyimide (PI) provides exceptional mechanical strength, outstanding thermal stability, and excellent chemical resistance. However, it severely limits its self-healing capabilities, which require a high degree of chain segment mobility. Achieving both high performance and rapid self-healing in PIs is critical for applications in aerospace and other demanding environments, yet it presents a significant challenge. Here, we innovatively constructed a hierarchically dynamic dual-network in PI architecture through molecular topological design—featuring B3O3 as reversible chemical crosslinks and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) mediated hydrogenbond networks as physical dissipation units. This innovative composite structure achieves high-performance Boroxine-containing polyimide (BPI) Tensile strength is 111.3 MPa, Young's modulus is 2.63 GPa, fracture toughness is 12.56 MJ/m3 and Td5% is 536 ◦C, while enabling record-fast, on-demand damage healing within just 5 min under simple near-infrared (NIR) irradiation. Notably, it also enables the regulation of frictional properties through light control, with a friction coefficient range of 0.277 to 0.122. By integrating photo-controlled selfhealing with intelligent friction modulation, this approach sets a new paradigm for designing adaptive smart materials capable of withstanding complex operational environments.