Rapid Self-healing Film From Novel Photo Polymerization Additive.

Abstract

Self-healing materials have ability to repair damage by themselves. Their properties have been developed to increase the reliability of materials. Generally, self-healing polymers have been developed by thermal polymerization. Especially, hydrogel materials showed relatively rapid recovery and goodhealing efficiency. However, it is very difficult to restore their properties without the self-healing mediator such as water. Herein, we report the novel type of self-healing polymer using photo-polymerization. This is achieved through an unprecedented concept of an additive of photopolymerization, named as 'healer' which can act as a physical crosslinker between main chains and a self-healing mediator in hydrogel materials. This transparent, easily fabricated self-healing polymer healed scratch in 40 seconds as well as restored the mechanical properties to 82%.