Reversible Assembly of Terpyridine Incorporated Norbornene-Based Polymer via a Ring-Opening Metathesis Polymerization and Its Self-Healing Property

We induced a terpyridine moiety into a norbornene-based polymer to demonstrate its self-healing property, without an external stimulus, such as light, heat, or healing agent, using metal–ligand interactions. We synthesized terpyridine incorporated norbornene-based polymers using a ring-opening metathesis polymerization. The sol state of diluted polymer solutions was converted into supramolecular assembled gels, through the addition of transition metal ions (Ni(2+), Co(2+), Fe(2+), and Zn(2+)). In particular, a supramolecular complex gel with Zn(2+), which is a metal with a lower binding affinity, demonstrated fast self-healing properties, without any additional external stimuli, and its mechanical properties were completely recovered.