title: A self-healing biomaterial based on free-radical polymerization.
abstract: Self-healing chemistry used for damage repair have not previously been demonstrated for free-radical polymerization pathways. However, this chemistry is important for addition polymers such as poly(methyl methacrylate) used in bone cement and epoxy vinyl ester used in dental resins. Self-healing biomaterials offer the potential for safer and longer lasting implants and restoratives by slowing or arresting crack damage. In the free-radical self-healing system reported here, the three components required for polymerization (free-radical peroxide initiator, tertiary amine activator, and vinyl acrylate monomers) are compartmentalized into two separate microcapsules-one containing the peroxide initiator, and the other containing both monomer and activator. Crack damage ruptures the capsules so that the three components mix and react to form a new polymer that effectively rebonds the crack and restores approximately 75% of the original fracture toughness. Optimal healing is obtained by a systematic evaluation of the effect of monomer, initiator, and activator concentration on healing performance.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 600 S. Mathews Ave, Urbana, Illinois, 61801.
authors.forename: Mary M Caruso
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Dailey
authors.forename: Alexander W
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Silvia
authors.forename: Patrick J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: McIntire
authors.forename: Gerald O
authors.initials: GO
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.forename: Jeffrey S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Moore
authors.forename: Scott R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: White
mesh_terms: D000179:Acrylates / Q000737:chemistry; D000588:Amines / Q000737:chemistry; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D001843:Bone Cements / Q000737:chemistry; D004339:Drug Compounding; D005609:Free Radicals / Q000737:chemistry*; D010545:Peroxides / Q000737:chemistry; D058105:Polymerization
chemical_list: D000179:Acrylates; D000588:Amines; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D001843:Bone Cements; D005609:Free Radicals; D010545:Peroxides
keywords: epoxy vinyl ester; microencapsulation; radical polymerization; self-healing; simulated body fluid