Self-repairing elastomer based on imidazole π-π stacking interaction

Most self-healing materials have complex chemical structures and require cumbersome preparation processes, which seriously limit their large-scale application in the fields of electronic skins, wearable devices, biomedical applications and soft robotics. In this study, self-healing elastomers based on pi-pi stacking between imidazole groups were prepared by simpler and faster photo-polymerization with butyl acrylate (BA) and 1-vinyl imidazole (VIM), coded as BVn. Due to the imidazole groups in the side chains, the prepared elastomers had excellent self-repairing properties. After healing at 60 degree celsius for 24 h, the strength and elongation at break of the repaired sample recovered to 97.2% and 95.4% of the original values, respectively. Importantly, the BVn based elastomers relied on pi-pi stacking interactions between imidazole groups rather than covalent crosslinks and could be recycled. These new self-repairing composite elastomers with high thermal stabilities, high elongations at break, good recoverabilites and high self-repairing efficiencies have great application potentials.

Automated summary

In this study, self-healing elastomers based on pi-pi stacking between imidazole groups were prepared using a simpler and faster photo-polymerization method. The elastomers showed excellent self-repairing properties and could recover their original strength and elongation at break at high temperatures. These new composite elastomers have great potential for applications in electronic skins, wearable devices, biomedical applications, and soft robotics.