Self-Healing of Polymers and Polymer Composites

Abstract

This review is devoted to the description of methods for the self-healing of polymers, polymer composites, and coatings. The self-healing of damages that occur during the operation of the corresponding structures makes it possible to extend the service life of the latter, and in this case, the problem of saving non-renewable resources is simultaneously solved. Two strategies are considered: (a) creating reversible crosslinks in the thermoplastic and (b) introducing a healing agent into cracks. Bond exchange reactions in network polymers (a) proceed as a dissociative process, in which crosslinks are split into their constituent reactive fragments with subsequent regeneration, or as an associative process, the limiting stage of which is the interaction of the reactive end group and the crosslink. The latter process is implemented in vitrimers. Strategy (b) is associated with the use of containers (hollow glass fibers, capsules, microvessels) that burst under the action of a crack. Particular attention is paid to self-healing processes in metallopolymer systems.

Optimization of synthesis parameters of PUF/ENB microcapsules for self‐healing applications using factorial design methodology

“…The analyses carried out led to a predictive model for the degradation temperature of microcapsules, as demonstrated in Equation (5).…”

“…4 Thus, the development of polymers that can heal damage autonomously and quickly is of great interest, highlighting safety, longer service life, and improved material performance. [5][6][7] Self-healing mechanisms may be classified into two classes: intrinsic and extrinsic. The intrinsic self-healing mechanism has the necessary chemical bonds in the material to carry out self-healing with the help of an external action, while in the extrinsic mechanism the healing agent is inserted into the polymer through components such as microcapsules or hollow fibers.…”

Review of Decompression Damage of the Polymer Liner of the Type IV Hydrogen Storage Tank

“…Damaged materials can recover their original mechanical properties by self-healing. There are two main approaches to self-healing [ 104 ]: (1) intrinsic self-healing, repairing the damage by the chemical bonds inside the polymer itself, and (2) the extrinsic self-healing, which works using the release of healing agents. Blasizik et al [ 105 ] believed that the potential for self-healing exists in thermosets, thermoplastics, and elastomers.…”

Self-Healing, Flexible and Smart 3D Hydrogel Electrolytes Based on Alginate/PEDOT:PSS for Supercapacitor Applications

“…This opens new opportunities for the development of energy storage devices in the field of smart wearable electronics [ 8 ]. Simultaneously, it is important for smart electrochemical capacitors to possess the self-healing properties of the hydrogel electrolyte, because it directly restores its capacitive performance when subjected to misuse, such as cutting or breakage, in record time [ 9 , 10 , 11 ].…”