Dynamic urea bonds for reversible and self-healing polymers

The disclosure provides reversible polymers from polyurea by modifying the nitrogen atom with hindered substituents. The reversibility of hindered urea bond (HUB) can be controlled by changing the bulkiness of the substituents, and N-tert-butyl-N-ethylurea (TBEU), with its high binding constant and short lifetime, is applicable in the design of reversible polymer and self-healing materials at mild temperatures without external stimuli. HUB can be used in the design of smart materials with its adjustable reversibility, facile synthesis, and compatibility with many other polymer structures.