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Title: A Highly Stretchy, Transparent Elastomer with the Capability to Automatically Self-Heal Underwater

Journal Article · · Advanced Materials
 [1];  [2];  [2];  [2];  [2]; ORCiD logo [1]
  1. Tsinghua Univ., Beijing (China); Univ. of California, Riverside, CA (United States)
  2. Univ. of California, Riverside, CA (United States)

Abstract Polymer materials that are able to self‐heal in humid conditions or even in water are highly desirable for their industrial applications. However, the development of underwater self‐healing polymer materials is very challenging since water molecules can readily disturb traditional noncovalent bonds, such as saturate the hydrogen bonds, coordinate with the metal cation, as well as solvate the ions. Here, a new type of dipole–dipole interactions is employed as the driving force, combining with highly polar and hydrophobic fluorinated polymers, to successfully demonstrate an underwater self‐healing elastomer. The polymer materials are transparent and stretchable. They can remain stable underwater for months without significant decay of mechanical properties. Upon mechanical damage, the material is able to self‐heal automatically in air, underwater, and under very harsh aqueous conditions (including seawater, highly acidic media, and highly basic media, etc.).

Research Organization:
Univ. of California, Riverside, CA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES)
Grant/Contract Number:
SC0016269; DE‐SC0016269
OSTI ID:
1612453
Alternate ID(s):
OSTI ID: 1479528
Journal Information:
Advanced Materials, Vol. 30, Issue 49; ISSN 0935-9648
Publisher:
WileyCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Citation Metrics:
Cited by: 134 works
Citation information provided by
Web of Science

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Cited By (7)

Scalable Synthesis of Multifunctional Epidermis‐Like Smart Coatings journal July 2019
Transparent, Mechanically Strong, Extremely Tough, Self‐Recoverable, Healable Supramolecular Elastomers Facilely Fabricated via Dynamic Hard Domains Design for Multifunctional Applications journal October 2019
Self‐Healable Materials for Underwater Applications journal August 2019
Photo‐Regulated Supramolecular Polymers: Shining Beyond Disassembly and Reassembly journal March 2019
Robust, Transparent, Thermally Healable Copolyacrylate Elastomer: The Effect of β‐Hydroxyethyl Acrylate on its Properties journal February 2019
Self-healing electronic skins for aquatic environments journal February 2019
Self-healing soft electronics journal April 2019

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