Mechanophores with a reversible radical system and freezing-induced mechanochemistry in polymer solutions and gels

Visualization and quantitative evaluation of covalent bond scission in polymeric materials are highly important for understanding failure, fatigue, and deterioration mechanisms and improving the lifetime, durability, toughness, and reliability of the materials. The diarylbibenzofuranone-based mechanophore radical system enabled, through electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy, in situ quantitative evaluation of scission of the mechanophores and estimation of mechanical energy induced along polymer chains by external forces. The coagulation of polymer solutions by freezing probably generated force but did not cleave the mechanophores. On the other hand, cross-linking led to efficient propagation of the force of more than 80 kJ mol(-1) to some mechanophores, resulting their cleavage and generation of colored stable radicals. This mechanoprobe concept has the potential to elucidate other debated issues in the polymer field as well.

Bio-complementary supramolecular polymers with effective self-healing functionality

Self-healing supramolecular polymers can be rapidly reprocessed under mild temperature conditions via dynamic reshuffling of the hydrogen bond networks.

High-efficiency self-healing materials based on supramolecular polymer networks

A new urea–cytosine-functionalized supramolecular polymer can be rapidly reshaped and reprocessed under mild conditions via rearrangement of the hydrogen bonding network.

DYNAMERS: dynamic polymers as self-healing materials

An overview of recent advances made in the field of constitutional dynamic materials, in particular dynamic polymers, dynamers, displaying self-healing features.