Optically healable supramolecular polymers

Mark Burnworth, Liming Tang, Justin R. Kumpfer, Andrew J. Duncan, Frederick L. Beyer, Gina L. Fiore, Stuart J. Rowan () and Christoph Weder ()
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Mark Burnworth: Case Western Reserve University
Liming Tang: Case Western Reserve University
Justin R. Kumpfer: Case Western Reserve University
Andrew J. Duncan: US Army Research Laboratory, Aberdeen Proving Ground
Frederick L. Beyer: US Army Research Laboratory, Aberdeen Proving Ground
Gina L. Fiore: Adolphe Merkle Institute and Fribourg Center for Nanomaterials, University of Fribourg
Stuart J. Rowan: Case Western Reserve University
Christoph Weder: Case Western Reserve University

Nature, 2011, vol. 472, issue 7343, 334-337

Abstract: Healed by light Smart materials with an in-built ability to repair damage caused by normal wear and tear could prove useful in a wide range of applications. Most healable polymer-based materials so far developed require heating of the damaged area. But Burnworth et al. have now produced materials — in the form of polymer strands linked through metal complexes — that can be mended through exposure to light. The metal complexes in these materials can absorb ultraviolet light that is then converted into heat, which temporarily unlinks the polymer strands for quick and efficient defect healing. In principle, healing can take place in situ and while under load.

Date: 2011
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DOI: 10.1038/nature09963

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