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Self‐Healing Supramolecular Polymers In Action
Author(s) -
van Gemert Gaby M. L.,
Peeters Joris W.,
Söntjens Serge H. M.,
Janssen Henk M.,
Bosman Anton W.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
macromolecular chemistry and physics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.57
H-Index - 112
eISSN - 1521-3935
pISSN - 1022-1352
DOI - 10.1002/macp.201100559
Subject(s) - supramolecular polymers , supramolecular chemistry , polymer , self healing , self healing material , hydrogen bond , materials science , macromolecule , polymer chemistry , polymer science , covalent bond , self assembly , nanotechnology , chemistry , molecule , organic chemistry , composite material , medicine , alternative medicine , pathology , biochemistry
Sophisticated polymeric materials with “responsive” properties, such as self‐healing, are beginning to reach the market. Supramolecular polymers, i.e., polymers that owe their mechanical properties primarily to the reversible, non‐covalent interactions, such as hydrogen bonding interactions, between the macromolecules, have frequently been employed as self‐healing materials. The quadruple hydrogen bonding ureidopyrimidinone (UPy) unit is a particularly effective and versatile design motif, since it forms very strong but reversible linkages, and can be incorporated into virtually any type of polymer backbone, leading to materials with increased mechanical properties. Supramolecular polymers are presented, with an emphasis on those based on the UPy‐unit, and their use in self‐healing applications is highlighted and discussed.