Synthesis and evaluation of a moisture-promoted healing copolymer

We report a homogeneous self-repairing copolymer system that exhibits self healing characteristics upon exposure to moisture environment. The copolymer consists of an isocyanate containing methacrylate monomer served as the repairing component and a fluorine-containing monomer as the protection component. Upon a mechanical damage of the coating copolymer, the isocyanate residue groups like the meshes of a zipper will exposure to generate reactive ends with environmental water like a faster of a zipper, thus form new crosslinking and repair the coating film. These materials with merits of easy-preparation and temperate repairing condition, can be used in decorative and anti-corrosion coatings. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.