Polymer chemistry self-healing materials

Inspired by our bodies ability to heal, self-healing materials have the ability to repair themselves when they are damaged. In the literature discussed in other chapters in this book, supramolecular chemistry as well as sample conditions were varied in order to examine whether gel rheological behavior is dependent on factors like polymer functionality sequence, polymer concentration, temperature and pH. 

Modern concepts in polymer chemistry are based on complex molecular architectures. In this way, some new functions such as self-organisation, adaptability and self-healing can be realised in synthetic materials of different dimensions and complexity. Colloidal polymer networks (nano- or microgels) are unique 3-D polymer structures with tuneable properties and enormous application potential. 

YUA 11] Yuan C.E., Rong M.Z., Zhang M.Q. et al, Self-healing of polymers via synchronous covalent bond fission/radical recombination , Chemistry of Materials, vol. 23, no. 22, pp. 5076-5081,2011. 

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