Basic physicochemical processes governing self‐healable polymers†

Abstract

AbstractThis short review outlines basic chemical and physical principles that can be utilized in the development of self‐healing polymers. Physical processes include the interdiffusion of polymer chains, the introduction of phase‐separated morphologies, shape memory effects or incorporating active nanoparticles into a polymer matrix. Dynamic covalent, free radical or supramolecular bonds are predominantly chemical processes. However, self‐healing will also involve a combination of physical and chemical events, such as taking advantage of enhanced van der Waals forces resulting in inter‐digitated copolymer morphologies or embedded reactive encapsulated fluids that burst open upon damage to fill up a wound. Sufficient molecular mobility for autonomous self‐healing under ambient conditions can also be achieved while maintaining high strength and stiffness in precisely designed commodity polymers. The efficient storage and recovery of conformational entropic energy stored during damage or excess of surface energy resulting from damage will drive the reduction of newly generated interfaces created upon damage by shallowing and widening wounds until healed. © 2021 Society of Industrial Chemistry.