Self-healing semi-IPN materials from epoxy resin by solvent-free furan-maleimide Diels-Alder polymerization

Novel self-healing Diels-Alder (DA) polymer and the corresponding semi-interpenetrated polymer networks (semi-IPNs) were synthesized and characterized. Initially, a furan-functionalized resin (FFR) was synthesized through the ring-opening reaction of a conventional epoxy resin [diglycidyl ether bisphenol A (DGEBA)] with furfuryl alcohol as a bio-based compound. Subsequently, semi-IPNs with different compositions were obtained through the blending of DGEBA, FFR, 4,4 '-diaminodiphenylmethane, and 1,1 '-(methylenedi-1,4-phenylene) bismaleimide in the molten state by following a predetermined time-temperature program. Fourier transform infrared and nuclear magnetic resonance analyses confirmed the successful synthesis of the materials. Thermoreversibility via retro-DA (rDA) reaction was evidenced by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and sol-gel transition tests. Repeated DSC cycle was successfully performed thrice on the DA polyadduct which corroborated repeatability of the DA/rDA association/dissociation. Self-healing and mechanical properties were preliminarily evaluated by scanning electronic microscopy and flexural testing analyses, respectively. The self-healing efficiencies were around 80 and 95% for semi-IPN and DA polyadduct, respectively, based on flexural strength. (c) 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.