Triggering the Self-Healing Properties of Modified Bromobutyl Rubber by Intrinsically Electrical Heating

In this study, the development and characterization of an intrinsically self-healable material have been reported based on bromobutyl rubber (BIIR) modified with imidazole (Im) and loaded with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) as reinforcing and electrically conducting agent. The ionic imidazolium groups facilitate an ionic network, which imparts the composites a pronounced self-healing behavior. The cation- bondings between modified BIIR and CNT surface improve the rubber-filler interaction leading to a better mechanical performance and a higher electrical conductivity of the composites. It has been demonstrated that the healing process can be accelerated by applying an electrical current across a damaged surface of a test specimen owing to the Joule heating effect. The recovery of the mechanical and electrical properties of the composites is investigated under different test conditions and specifically discussed in terms of the rubber-filler interactions and the filler dispersion. The applied scientific approach with the exploration of the unique nature of the imidazolium modified and CNT loaded BIIR may promote developments for a new class of rubber materials for different smart and technological applications.