Flexible, Reconfigurable, and Self-Healing TPU/Vitrimer Polymer Blend with Copolymerization Triggered by Bond Exchange Reaction

Abstract

In recent decades, flexible, reconfigurable, and fast-response self-healing polymers have attracted considerable attention for both industrial field and scientific research. Mechanical blending remains the most mature, economical, effective, and the simplest approach to produce polymer blends, which can combine several distinctive advantages from different thermoplastic materials. However, such a process cannot be simply applied to thermosetting materials due to their permanent molecular structures. The synthesis of high-performance polymer blends connected by covalent cross-links remains a big challenge for the present industrial system. In this paper, we proposed a novel approach to synthesize polymer blends via blending thermosetting vitrimer containing dynamic covalent networks with thermoplastic polymers. It is demonstrated that the intrinsic relationship could be established by controlling the bond exchange reactions between the thermoset and the thermoplastic, thus triggering copolymerization. Due to the highly controlled processing conditions, the synthesized polymer is highly flexible, recyclable, and reprocessable, and possesses self-healing behavior at the same time. In addition, it shows potential applications in adhesive film and wearable electronics. This new technology opens a new way to reprocess thermoset in a fashion similar to thermoplastic in the current polymer industry.

Optimization of intrinsic self-healing silicone coatings by benzotriazole loaded mesoporous silica

“…Inspired by self-healing concepts present in the natural world, intrinsic self-healing polymers cross-linked by dynamic reversible bonds have gained a lot of research interest because of their promising application in flexible electronics [1], adhesives [2][3], biomedicines [4][5][6][7], protective coatings [8][9], and other areas of technological interest [10]. Considering their self-restoring property upon damage, intrinsic selfhealing polymers are ideal materials for corrosion protective coatings by autonomous recovery of barrier protection [11].…”

Blend Structure and n-Type Thermoelectric Performance of PA6/SAN and PA6/PMMA Blends Filled with Singlewalled Carbon Nanotubes

“…It was the aim of this study to use PA6 in conductive SWCNT containing immiscible blends with other polymers and to study the influence of such blending on the n-type thermoelectric behavior. Polymer blends have broad applications in materials science [42] and recent examples show e.g., the use in membranes in demanding environments [43], in self-healing applications [44], for highly antibacterial materials [45], for drug-delivery [46] and for vapor-sensing applications [47]. By combining polymer blends with CNTs, the distribution and density of the nanotube network can be modified, especially if the nanotubes localize preferentially in one of the components.…”

Desired properties and corresponding improvement measures of electrospun nanofibers for membrane distillation, reinforcement, and self‐healing applications

“…Intrinsic systems consist of non-covalent bonds, such as hydrogen bonds, [142,143] metal-ligand bonds, [144] or covalent bonds. [145,146] Intrinsic systems typically need external intervention to induce healing, while capsulebased systems do not. Capsule-based systems typically involve four sequestration types.…”