title: Harnessing labile bonds between nanogel particles to create self-healing materials.
abstract: Using computational modeling, we demonstrate the self-healing behavior of novel materials composed of nanoscopic gel particles that are interconnected into a macroscopic network by both stable and labile bonds. Under mechanical stress, the labile bonds between the nanogels can break and readily re-form with reactive groups on neighboring units. This breaking and re-forming allows the units in the network to undergo a structural rearrangement that preserves the mechanical integrity of the sample. The simulations show that just a small fraction of labile bonds leads to a roughly 25% increase in the stress needed to induce fracture. Thus, the labile bonds can significantly improve the tensile strength of the material. The findings provide guidelines for creating high-strength, self-healing materials.
authors.affiliation: Chemical Engineering Department, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15261, USA.
authors.forename: German V
authors.initials: GV
authors.lastname: Kolmakov
authors.forename: Krzysztof
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Matyjaszewski
authors.forename: Anna C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Balazs