March 12, 2009

scientists comment on self-repairing polyurethane networks as published in Science

Scientists in the US have developed a ‘self-healing’ polymer coating that mends itself when exposed to sunlight, and which could lead to the development of self-repairing paint for cars as well as other products.

Prof Howell Edwards C.Chem. FRSC, Head of Division of Chemical and Forensic Sciences at the University of Bradford, said:

“In this paper the authors have described novel experiments on self-repairing polyurethane structures, modified by the incorporation of an oxetane-chitosan precursor, which have suffered mechanical damage. Through exposure to ultra-violet radiation small cracks of the order of several micrometres in width have been ‘healed’ by chemical cross-linking which restores the visual appearance of the polymer within the time frame of one hour.

“Clearly, there are future applications of this work in the repair of automotive components, which extensively use polyurethane polymers, that have suffered minor damage, although the authors do note that subsequent damage at the same site is not repairable by this means. This is important for studies of advanced materials and their degradation.”