Fast Self-Healing at Room Temperature in Diels-Alder Elastomers.

ABSTRACT: Despite being primarily categorized as non-autonomous self-healing polymers, we demonstrate the ability of Diels-Alder polymers to heal macroscopic damages at room temperature, resulting in complete restoration of their mechanical properties within a few hours. Moreover, we observe immediate partial recovery, occurring mere minutes after reuniting the fractured surfaces. This fast room-temperature healing is accomplished by employing an off-stoichiometric maleimide-to-furan ratio in the polymer network. Through an extensive investigation of seven Diels-Alder polymers, the influence of crosslink density on self-healing, thermal, and (thermo-)mechanical performance was thoroughly examined. Crosslink density variations were achieved by adjusting the molecular weight of the monomers or utilizi

SUBMITTER: Safaei A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10490179 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature