Is this project an undergraduate, graduate, or faculty project?
Undergraduate
Project Type
individual
Campus
Daytona Beach
Authors' Class Standing
John Veracka - Junior
Lead Presenter's Name
John Veracka
Faculty Mentor Name
Foram Madiyar
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Abstract
Self-healing polymers are attractive materials with the ability to intrinsically or extrinsically heal without the use of external human intervention. Several mechanisms for repair within self-healing materials can be found, such as catalyst containing micro beads, healing from an external energy source such as ultraviolet light or heat, and supramolecular network bonding. However, many of these techniques remain challenged due to their lack of mechanical strength, faulty energy diffusion, and poor self-healing ability within limited time. In the given project, a material with efficient self-healing ability at room temperature and high mechanical strength is exemplified. The self-healing material utilizes a soft poly(oxy-1,4-butanediyl) (PTMEG) backbone that limits monomer clumping and microphase separation. Furthermore, the dual hydrogen bonding and high crosslinking monomer allows for excessive mechanical strength, while the weak single hydrogen bonding subunit creates mechanical strain diffusion by forming a diverse supramolecular network of temporary intermolecular bonds. Varying ratios of TDI and IP are tested in conjunction with 1000MW and 2900MW PTMEG backbones to exemplify varying degrees of self-healing and mechanically strength abilities for materials with applications in dielectric actuators, biosensing, and various self-healing electronics. The self-healing property was characterized by producing small slices in the material in both an aqueous and air environment at room temperature. The characterization of the polymer was accomplished using Fourier-transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC).
Did this research project receive funding support (Spark, SURF, Research Abroad, Student Internal Grants, Collaborative, Climbing, or Ignite Grants) from the Office of Undergraduate Research?
Yes, SURF
Development of a Flexible, Room Temperature Self-Healing Polymer via Reversible Hydrogen Bond Network
Self-healing polymers are attractive materials with the ability to intrinsically or extrinsically heal without the use of external human intervention. Several mechanisms for repair within self-healing materials can be found, such as catalyst containing micro beads, healing from an external energy source such as ultraviolet light or heat, and supramolecular network bonding. However, many of these techniques remain challenged due to their lack of mechanical strength, faulty energy diffusion, and poor self-healing ability within limited time. In the given project, a material with efficient self-healing ability at room temperature and high mechanical strength is exemplified. The self-healing material utilizes a soft poly(oxy-1,4-butanediyl) (PTMEG) backbone that limits monomer clumping and microphase separation. Furthermore, the dual hydrogen bonding and high crosslinking monomer allows for excessive mechanical strength, while the weak single hydrogen bonding subunit creates mechanical strain diffusion by forming a diverse supramolecular network of temporary intermolecular bonds. Varying ratios of TDI and IP are tested in conjunction with 1000MW and 2900MW PTMEG backbones to exemplify varying degrees of self-healing and mechanically strength abilities for materials with applications in dielectric actuators, biosensing, and various self-healing electronics. The self-healing property was characterized by producing small slices in the material in both an aqueous and air environment at room temperature. The characterization of the polymer was accomplished using Fourier-transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC).