Self-Healing Materials via Reversible Crosslinking of Poly(ethylene oxide)-block-poly(furfuryl glycidyl ether) (PEO-b-PFGE) Block Copolymer Films

Barthel, Markus J.; Rudolph, Tobias; Teichler, Anke; Paulus, Renzo M.; J\", ; urgen Vitz, ; Höppener, Stephanie; Hager, Martin D.; Schacher, Felix H.; Schubert, Ulrich S.

Abstract:

The application of well-defined poly(furfuryl glycidyl ether) (PFGE) homopolymers and poly(ethylene oxide)-b-poly(furfuryl glycidyl ether) (PEO-b-PFGE) block copolymers synthesized by living anionic polymerization as self-healing materials is demonstrated. This is achieved by thermo-reversible network formation via (retro) Diels-Alder chemistry between the furan groups in the side-chain of the PFGE segments and a bifunctional maleimide crosslinker within drop-cast polymer films. The process is studied in detail by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), depth-sensing indentation, and profilometry. It is shown that such materials are capable of healing complex scratch patterns, also multiple times. Furthermore, microphase separation within PEO-b-PFGE block copolymer films is indicated by small angle X-ray scattering (lamellar morphology with a domain spacing of approximately 19 nm), differential scanning calorimetry, and contact angle measurements.

Year:

2013

Type of Publication:

Article

Journal:

Advanced Functional Materials

Volume:

23

Pages:

4921 - 4932