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Unveiling the molecular mechanism of self-healing in a telechelic, supramolecular polymer network

Reversible polymeric networks can show self-healing properties due to their ability to reassemble after application of stress and fracture, but typically the relation between equilibrium molecular dynamics and self-healing kinetics has been difficult to disentangle. Here we present a well-characteri...

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Autores principales: Yan, Tingzi, Schröter, Klaus, Herbst, Florian, Binder, Wolfgang H., Thurn-Albrecht, Thomas
Formato: Online Artículo Texto
Lenguaje:English
Publicado: Nature Publishing Group 2016
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5007665/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27581380
http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/srep32356
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author Yan, Tingzi
Schröter, Klaus
Herbst, Florian
Binder, Wolfgang H.
Thurn-Albrecht, Thomas
author_facet Yan, Tingzi
Schröter, Klaus
Herbst, Florian
Binder, Wolfgang H.
Thurn-Albrecht, Thomas
author_sort Yan, Tingzi
collection PubMed
description Reversible polymeric networks can show self-healing properties due to their ability to reassemble after application of stress and fracture, but typically the relation between equilibrium molecular dynamics and self-healing kinetics has been difficult to disentangle. Here we present a well-characterized, self-assembled bulk network based on supramolecular assemblies, that allows a clear distinction between chain dynamics and network relaxation. Small angle x-ray scattering and rheological measurements provide evidence for a structurally well-defined, dense network of interconnected aggregates giving mechanical strength to the material. Different from a covalent network, the dynamic character of the supramolecular bonds enables macroscopic flow on a longer time scale and the establishment of an equilibrium structure. A combination of linear and nonlinear rheological measurements clearly identifies the terminal relaxation process as being responsible for the process of self-healing.
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spelling pubmed-50076652016-09-08 Unveiling the molecular mechanism of self-healing in a telechelic, supramolecular polymer network Yan, Tingzi Schröter, Klaus Herbst, Florian Binder, Wolfgang H. Thurn-Albrecht, Thomas Sci Rep Article Reversible polymeric networks can show self-healing properties due to their ability to reassemble after application of stress and fracture, but typically the relation between equilibrium molecular dynamics and self-healing kinetics has been difficult to disentangle. Here we present a well-characterized, self-assembled bulk network based on supramolecular assemblies, that allows a clear distinction between chain dynamics and network relaxation. Small angle x-ray scattering and rheological measurements provide evidence for a structurally well-defined, dense network of interconnected aggregates giving mechanical strength to the material. Different from a covalent network, the dynamic character of the supramolecular bonds enables macroscopic flow on a longer time scale and the establishment of an equilibrium structure. A combination of linear and nonlinear rheological measurements clearly identifies the terminal relaxation process as being responsible for the process of self-healing. Nature Publishing Group 2016-09-01 /pmc/articles/PMC5007665/ /pubmed/27581380 http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/srep32356 Text en Copyright © 2016, The Author(s) http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. The images or other third party material in this article are included in the article’s Creative Commons license, unless indicated otherwise in the credit line; if the material is not included under the Creative Commons license, users will need to obtain permission from the license holder to reproduce the material. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
spellingShingle Article
Yan, Tingzi
Schröter, Klaus
Herbst, Florian
Binder, Wolfgang H.
Thurn-Albrecht, Thomas
Unveiling the molecular mechanism of self-healing in a telechelic, supramolecular polymer network
title Unveiling the molecular mechanism of self-healing in a telechelic, supramolecular polymer network
title_full Unveiling the molecular mechanism of self-healing in a telechelic, supramolecular polymer network
title_fullStr Unveiling the molecular mechanism of self-healing in a telechelic, supramolecular polymer network
title_full_unstemmed Unveiling the molecular mechanism of self-healing in a telechelic, supramolecular polymer network
title_short Unveiling the molecular mechanism of self-healing in a telechelic, supramolecular polymer network
title_sort unveiling the molecular mechanism of self-healing in a telechelic, supramolecular polymer network
topic Article
url https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5007665/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27581380
http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/srep32356
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