A Structure-Properties Relationship Study of Self-Healing Materials Based on Styrene and Furfuryl Methacrylate Cross-Linked via Diels-Alder Chemistry

A series of copolymers of styrene and furfuryl methacrylate characterized by various molecular structures (linear and star, block and random) is synthesized via atom transfer radical polymerization, and cross-linked with a bismaleimide by means of thermally reversible Diels-Alder (DA) reaction, to obtain self-healing materials. The prepared materials are studied in terms of gelation, swelling, thermal, and dynamic-mechanical analysis, with the aim of correlating relevant properties to their chemical structure. It is found that the furan/styrene ratio, as well as the molecular architecture, have a major influence on the properties. It is also found that the reversibility of the DA reaction is not complete in the solid state for materials with high cross-linking density. This study provides some important tools for the design of materials characterized by thermally reversible behavior, which find usually application as self-healing thermosets, coatings, or adhesives.

Automated summary

A series of copolymers of styrene and furfuryl methacrylate with different molecular structures were synthesized via atom transfer radical polymerization and cross-linked with a bismaleimide using a thermally reversible Diels-Alder reaction to create self-healing materials. The study found that the furan/styrene ratio and molecular architecture significantly influenced the properties, and that the reversibility of the DA reaction was incomplete in solid-state for materials with high cross-linking density. This research provides important insights for designing thermally reversible materials used in self-healing thermosets, coatings, or adhesives.