Self-Healing Fibrous Membranes

Inspired by the self-healing function of living organisms, self-healing materials have been developed in recent decades to very high standards. As a new direction, self-healing fibrous membranes (SFMs) exhibit both the configuration of a porous structure and self-healing capability within one material. Different from nonporous self-healing materials, it is more challenging to introduce self-healing properties to porous fibrous membrane materials owing to the more complex healing mechanism and microstructure of SFMs. This Minireview focuses on the self-healing mechanisms, design principles, and preparation strategies of SFMs. The characteristics of SFM self-healing performance are introduced in detail, and insights and perspectives of SFM preparation and healing mechanisms are put forward. Furthermore, remaining challenges and future developments of SFMs are presented, where the ultimate goal is the design of highly efficient self-healing and superstable fibrous membranes.

Automated summary

This Minireview summarizes the self-healing mechanisms, design principles, and preparation strategies of self-healing fibrous membranes (SFMs). SFMs, featuring porous structure and self-healing capability, are more challenging to develop due to their complex healing mechanism and microstructure. The characteristics of SFM self-healing performance, insights and perspectives on SFM preparation and healing mechanisms, as well as remaining challenges and future developments are discussed, with the ultimate goal of designing highly efficient self-healing and superstable fibrous membranes.