Strong and efficient self-healing adhesives
Self-healing adhesives are materials with remarkable practical potential for long-term adhesion. However, reports are extremely limited because it is difficult to meet high strength and efficient self-healing properties. A new versatile method overcomes this bottleneck.
In their study, Chinese researchers have introduced alternating rigid and flexible segments in the dynamic quaternisation cross-links of poly(1,2,3-triazolium) vitrimer (VPTA) adhesives.
High durability and creep resistance
In consequence, the VPTA adhesive demonstrates a particularly high adhesive strength of 23.7 MPa, compared to the reported self-healing adhesives (ASHAs (≤7.5 MPa). The adhesive joints of VPTA can self-heal after it is completely broken 20 times, while maintaining strengths all above 10 MPa, which is rarely reported. Furthermore, this adhesive also exhibits excellent solvent resistance, high durability, and good creep resistance. The structural design strategy may serve as a versatile method for polymers to prepare strong and efficient SHAs.
The study is published in: Journal of Materials Chemistry A, Issue 40, 2017.
