A Disulfide‐Based Poly(ether‐b‐amide) Copolymer with Rapid Self‐healing Ability under Moderate Conditions†

Abstract

Comprehensive SummaryA disulfide‐based poly(ether‐b‐amide) copolymer with rapid self‐healing capability under moderate conditions was synthesized from 4,4’‐dithiodibutyric acid (DTDBA), isophorondiamine (IPDA) and poly(tetramethylene oxide) (PTMO) based on a two‐step method. The incorporation of IPDA with asymmetric structure and substantial steric hindrance not only effectively decreased the number of regular H‐bonds, but also inhibited the crystallization of polyamide segments, imparting the synthesized poly(ether‐b‐amide) copolymer with an amorphous structural feature. Based on the coordination of segmental diffusion and recombination of disulfide bonds and hydrogen bonds, the scratches and damaged mechanical properties of PEBADS‐I611 could be completely self‐healed after healing at 40 °C for only 11 min and 3 h, respectively.