Off-center Mechanophore Activation in Block Copolymers

Block copolymers (BCPs) are used in numerous applications in modern materials science. Yet, like homopolymers, BCPs can undergo covalent bond scission when mechanically stressed (mechanochemistry), which could lead to unexpected consequences in such applications. BCPs' heterogeneity may affect force transduction, perhaps changing force distribution and localization. To verify this, a gem-dichlorocyclopropane (gDCC) embedded linear chain is prepared and extended with a poly(methyl methacrylate) block. When stressed in solution, the mechanochemical ring-opening of gDCC is accelerated compared to homopolymers, even though the mechanophores are at the chain ends. Moreover, a higher mechanophore activation selectivity is obtained. These results indicate that mechanochemical response outside, and even far from the chain center is quite prominent in BCPs, and that forces along the polymer chain can efficiently activate multi-mechanophores regions, even when far from the polymer midchain.

Accelerated Mechanochemistry in Helical Polymers

Polymer chains, if long enough, are known to undergo bond scission when mechanically stressed. While the mechanochemical response of random coils is well understood, biopolymers and some key synthetic chains adopt well-defined secondary structures such as helices. To understand covalent mechanochemistry in such structures, poly(γ-benzyl glutamates) are prepared while regulating the feed-monomer chirality, producing chains with similar molecular weights and backbone chemistry but different helicities. Such chains are stressed in solution and their mechanochemistry rates compared by following molecular weight change and using a rhodamine mechanochromophore. Results reveal that while helicity itself is not affected by the covalent bond scissions, chains with higher helicity undergo faster mechanochemistry. Considering that the polymers tested differ only in conformation, these results indicate that helix-induced chain rigidity improves the efficiency of mechanical energy transduction.

Toughening and Healing of CFRPs by Diels–Alder-Based Nano-Modified Resin through Melt Electro-Writing Process Technique

In the current study, a novel approach in terms of the incorporation of self-healing agent (SHA) into unidirectional (UD) carbon fiber reinforced plastics (CFRPs) has been demonstrated. More precisely, Diels–Alder (DA) mechanism-based resin (Bis-maleimide type) containing or not four layered graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) at the amount of 1 wt% was integrated locally in the mid-thickness area of CFRPs by melt electro-writing process (MEP). Based on that, CFRPs containing or not SHA were fabricated and further tested under Mode I interlaminar fracture toughness experiments. According to experimental results, modified CFRPs exhibited a considerable enhancement in the interlaminar fracture toughness properties (peak load (Pmax) and fracture toughness energy I (GIC) values). After Mode I interlaminar fracture toughness testing, the damaged samples followed the healing process and then were tested again under identical experimental conditions. The repeating of the tests revealed moderate healing efficiency (H.E.) since part of the interlaminar fracture toughness properties were restored. Furthermore, three-point bending (3PB) experiments were conducted, with the aim of assessing the effect of the incorporated SHA on the in-plane mechanical properties of the final CFRPs. Finally, optical microscopy (OM) examinations were performed to investigate the activated/involved damage mechanisms.

Prevent or Cure-The Unprecedented Need for Self-Reporting Materials

Self-reporting smart materials are highly relevant in modern soft matter materials science, as they allow for the autonomous detection of changes in synthetic polymers, materials, and composites. Despite critical advantages of such materials, for example, prolonged lifetime or prevention of disastrous material failures, they have gained much less attention than self-healing materials. However, as diagnosis is critical for any therapy, it is of the utmost importance to report the existence of system changes and their exact location to prevent them from spreading. Thus, we herein critically review the chemistry of self-reporting soft matter materials systems and highlight how current challenges and limitations may be overcome by successfully transferring self-reporting research concepts from the laboratory to the real world. Especially in the space of diagnostic self-reporting systems, the recent SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic indicates an urgent need for such concepts that may be able to detect the presence of viruses or bacteria on and within materials in a self-reporting fashion.

Fatigue-Resistant, Notch-Insensitive Zwitterionic Polymer Hydrogels with High Self-Healing Ability

Introducing self-healing properties into hydrogels can prolong their application lifetime. However, achieving mechanical strength without sacrificing self-healing properties is still a major challenge. We prepared a series of zwitterionic polymer hydrogels by random copolymerization of zwitterionic ionic monomer (SBMA), cationic monomer (DAC) and hydrophilic monomer (HEMA). The ionic bonds and hydrogen bonds formed in the hydrogels can efficiently dissipate energy and rebuild the network. The resulting hydrogels show high mechanical strength (289-396 KPa of fracture stress, 433-864 % of fracture stress) and have great fatigue resistance. The hydrogel with a 1 : 1 molar ratio of SBMA:DAC possesses the best self-healing properties (self-healing efficiency up to 96.5 % at room temperature for 10 h). The self-healing process is completely spontaneous and does not require external factors to assist. In addition, the hydrogel also possesses notch insensitivity with a fracture energy of 12000 J m^-2 . After combining the conductivity of RGO aerogel, the hydrogel/RGO composites show good strain sensitivity with high reliability and self-healing ability, which has certain significance in broadening the application of these zwitterionic hydrogels.

Bioinspired Healable Mechanochromic Function from Fluorescent Polyurethane Composite Film

Camouflage and wound healing are two vital functions for cephalopods to survive from dangerous ocean risks. Inspired by these dual functions, herein, we report a new type of healable mechanochromic (HMC) material. The bifunctional HMC material consists of two tightly bonded layers. One layer is composed of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and titanium dioxide (TiO₂) for shielding. Another layer contains supramolecular hydrogen bonding polymers and fluorochromes for healing. The as‐synthesized HMC material exhibits a tunable and reversible mechanochromic function due to the strain‐induced surface structure of composite film. The mechanochromic function can be further restored after damage because of the incorporated healable polyurethane. The healing efficiency of the damaged HMC materials can even reach 98 % at 60 °C for 6 h. The bioinspired HMC material is expected to have potential applications in the information encryption and flexible displays.

Towards Dynamic but Supertough Healable Polymers through Biomimetic Hierarchical Hydrogen-Bonding Interactions

A biomimetic (titin protein molecular structure) strategy is reported for preparing transparent and healable elastomers featuring supertoughness (345 MJ m^-3 ) and high tensile strength (44 MPa) after self-healing enabled by hierarchical (single, double, and quadruple) hydrogen-bonding moieties in the polymer backbone. The rigid domain containing hierarchical H-bonds formed with urethane, urea, and 2-ureido-4[1H]-pyrimidinone groups leads to a durable network structure that has enhanced mechanical properties and is also dynamic for rapid self-healing. Healable polymers with hierarchical hydrogen-bonding interactions show excellent recoverability and high energy dissipation owing to the durable interaction between polymer chains. This biomimetic strategy of using hierarchical hydrogen bonds as building blocks is an alternative approach for obtaining dynamic, strong, yet smart self-healing polymers for heavy-duty protection materials and wearable electronics.

Supramolecular Nested Microbeads as Building Blocks for Macroscopic Self-Healing Scaffolds

The ability to construct self‐healing scaffolds that are injectable and capable of forming a designed morphology offers the possibility to engineer sustainable materials. Herein, we introduce supramolecular nested microbeads that can be used as building blocks to construct macroscopic self‐healing scaffolds. The core–shell microbeads remain in an “inert” state owing to the isolation of a pair of complementary polymers in a form that can be stored as an aqueous suspension. An annealing process after injection effectively induces the re‐construction of the microbead units, leading to supramolecular gelation in a preconfigured shape. The resulting macroscopic scaffold is dynamically stable, displaying self‐recovery in a self‐healing electronic conductor. This strategy of using the supramolecular assembled nested microbeads as building blocks represents an alternative to injectable hydrogel systems, and shows promise in the field of structural biomaterials and flexible electronics.

Silicone Oil Swelling Slippery Surfaces Based on Mussel-Inspired Magnetic Nanoparticles with Multiple Self-Healing Mechanisms

In this work, a novel substrate building block, magnetic Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles armed with dopamine molecules were developed via mussel-inspired metal-coordination bonds. Combined with glycidyl methacrylate, polydimethylsiloxane propyl ether methacrylate, and diethylenetriamine, the original silicone oil swelling slippery liquid-infused porous surfaces (SLIPS) were first prepared by reversible coordinate bonds and strong covalent bonds cross-linking process. The matrix mechanical characteristics and surface physicochemical properties were systematically investigated. Results showed that the mechanical property of copolymer matrix and surface wettability of SLIPS can be remarkably recovered, which were due to the synergistic interactions of magnetic nanoparticles' intrinsic photothermal effect, reversible Fe-catechol coordination, and diffused lubricating liquid. After irradiating with sunlamp for 2 h and sequentially healing for 10 h under ambient conditions, the crack almost disappeared under optical microscopy with 78.25% healing efficiency (HEf) of toughness, and surface slippery was completely retrieved to water droplets. The efficient self-heal of copolymer matrix (66.5% HEf after eighth cutting-healing cycle) and recovering of slipperiness (SA < 5° and 5° < SA < 17° after fourth and eighth cutting-centrifuging-healing cycles, respectively) would extend longevity of SLIPS when subjected to multiple damages. Moreover, the prepared SLIPS displayed superb self-cleaning and liquid-repellent properties to a wide range of particulate contaminants and fluids.