Competing Dipolar and van der Waals Forces in Dynamic Self-Healing of Poly(Ionic Liquid) Copolymers.

ABSTRACT: These studies elucidate the origin of molecular processes involved in the self-healing of imidazolium-based poly(ionic liquid) copolymers (PILCs) subjected to dynamic surface oscillating forces (SOF). In contrast to their counterpart homopolymers, which are either brittle or exhibit irreversible responses, PILCs composed of short (-CH₃; Me) and long (-CH)₂)₃CH₃; Bu) aliphatic side chains attached to the cation-anion pair composed of a 50/50 monomer molar ratio (poly(Me/Bu 50/50)) exhibit remarkable recovery. These dynamic responses arise from the competing polar and dipolar forces attributed to a balanced coexistence of ordered and disordered states involving the reversible rearrangements of H-bonding, ionic interactions, and London dispersion fo

SUBMITTER: Liu J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12811645 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature