Chemical Engineering Journal, Vol.371, 203-212, 2019
Biomimetic, recyclable, highly stretchable and self-healing conductors enabled by dual reversible bonds
Utilization of self-healing chemistry and biomimetic structure design, to develop stretchable conductors that are self-healing and recyclable, is of great interest. Herein, we utilize small molecular (triethanolamine, TEA) instead of common polymer segments as a spacer and cross-linker, which could render the dynamic covalent/noncovalent thermosets with higher density of reversible bonds (H-bonds and disulfide bonds) and more cross-linked points through controlling mole fraction due to more hydroxyl group per molecular weight of TEA. The asprepared thermosets exhibit excellent thermal stability, shape memory effect, recyclability and healing efficiency at relatively moderate temperature. Then, a series of mechanically and electrically self-healing conductive tendrils composed of self-healing/shape memory polymers and conductive percolation networks are fabricated, which possess enhanced conductivity retention capability under stretching states. Moreover, our designed helical-structured conductors can be not only rehealed but also recycled and reprocessed due to the simultaneous destruction and reestablishment of the reversible bonds. Strikingly, the fabrication process of self-healing conductive tendrils is compatible to the conventional technique of conductors including silk-screen printing and adhesive bonding technique. This biomimetic approach opens a promising pathway to fabricate wearable intelligent devices with versatile functions.
Keywords:Stretchable conductor;Structures that stretch;Biomimetic;Self-healing capacity;Dual reversible bond