1. Faculty of Natural Sciences II (Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics), Institute of Chemistry, Chair of Macromolecular Chemistry, Martin Luther University Halle‐Wittenberg, von‐Danckelmann‐Platz 4, Halle, 06120 Germany;2. Present address: Research and Development Department, University of Petroleum and Energy Studies (UPES), Dehradun 248007, India;3. Faculty of Natural Sciences II (Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics), Institute of Physics, Martin Luther University Halle‐Wittenberg, Kurt‐Mothes‐Straße 2, Halle, 06120 Germany;4. Faculty of Natural Sciences II (Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics), Institute of Chemistry, Chair of Macromolecular Chemistry, Martin Luther University Halle‐Wittenberg, von‐Danckelmann‐Platz 4, Halle, 06120 GermanyE‐mail:
Abstract:
Strategies to compensate material fatigue are among the most challenging issues, being most prominently addressed by the use of nano‐ and microscaled fillers, or via new chemical concepts such as self‐healing materials. A capsule‐based self‐healing material is reported, where the adverse effect of reduced tensile strength due to the embedded capsules is counterbalanced by a graphene‐based filler, the latter additionally acting as a catalyst for the self‐healing reaction. The concept is based on “click”‐based chemistry, a universal methodology to efficiently link components at ambient reaction conditions, thus generating a “reactive glue” at the cracked site. A capsule‐based healing system via a graphene‐based Cu2O (TRGO‐Cu2O‐filler) is used, acting as both the catalytic species for crosslinking and the required reinforcement agent within the material, in turn compensating the reduction in tensile strength exerted by the embedded capsules. Room‐temperature self‐healing within 48 h is achieved, with the investigated specimen containing TRGO‐Cu2O demonstrating significantly faster self‐healing compared to homogeneous (Cu(PPh3)3F, Cu(PPh3)3Br), and heterogeneous (Cu/C) copper(I) catalysts.
