This work describes an emulsion polymer with self-healing capability based on a dynamic covalent bonding mechanism. A latex prepolymer (LPtB) containing bulky amine units was synthesized via soap-free emulsion polymerization. Then, a one-pot crosslinkable self-healing emulsion polymer was prepared by adding a blocked isocyanurate and a catalyst into the latex prepolymer, and subsequently, a crosslinked self-healing polymer film (cLPtB) was prepared. Syntheses of self-healing polymers were confirmed by Fourier transform infrared, size exclusion chromatography, proton nuclear magnetic resonance, dynamic light scattering, and transmission electron microscopy analyses. A control latex prepolymer (LPH) was also synthesized without bulky amine functionality, and the self-healing properties of crosslinked LPH (cLPH) were compared to those of cLPtB under the same crosslinking and healing conditions. In addition, the effects of drying and crosslinking conditions at various temperatures on the film formation and crosslinking degree of polymer films were evaluated through atomic force microscopy and gel content analysis. cLPtB demonstrated a T g,DMA of 47 °C and onset dissociation of urea linkages at 120 °C, as confirmed by DMA. The cLPtB films exhibited complete restoration of mechanical properties after cutting and healing at a film formation temperature of 80 °C; they exhibited a self-healing efficiency (σSHE%) of 100%. The cLPtB coating surface also manifested a rapid healing process with 100% wound suturing at 100 °C for 5 min, as recorded by optical microscopy.

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Wastewater management is of considerable economic and environmental importance for the dyeing industry. Digital textile printing (DTP), which is based on sublimation transfer and does not generate wastewater, is currently being explored as an inkjet-based method of printing colorants onto fabric. It finds wide industrial applications with most poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) and nylon fibers. However, for additional industrial applications, it is necessary to use natural fibers, such as cotton. Therefore, to expand the applicability of DTP, it is essential to develop a novel reactive disperse dye that can interact with the fabric. In this study, we introduced a blocked isocyanate functional group into the dye to enhance binding to the fabric. The effect of sublimation transfer on fabrics as a function of temperature was compared using the newly synthesized reactive disperse dyes with different blocking groups based on pyrazole derivatives, such as pyrazole (Py), di-methylpyrazole (DMPy), and di-tert-butylpyrazole (DtBPy). Fabrics coated with the new reactive disperse dyes, including PET, nylon, and cotton, were printed at 190 °C, 200 °C, and 210 °C using thermal transfer equipment. In the case of the synthesized DHP-A dye on cotton at 210 °C, the color strength was 2.1, which was higher than that of commercial dyes and other synthesized dyes, such as DMP-A and DTP-A. The fastness values of the synthesized DHP-A were measured on cotton, and it was found that the washing and light fastness values on cotton are higher than those of commercial dyes. This study confirmed the possibility of introducing isocyanate groups into reactive disperse dyes.