Self‐Healing Materials via Reversible Crosslinking of Poly(ethylene oxide)‐<i>Block</i>‐Poly(furfuryl glycidyl ether) (PEO‐<i>b</i>‐PFGE) Block Copolymer Films

Abstract

Abstract The application of well‐defined poly(furfuryl glycidyl ether) (PFGE) homopolymers and poly(ethylene oxide)‐ b ‐poly(furfuryl glycidyl ether) (PEO‐ b ‐PFGE) block copolymers synthesized by living anionic polymerization as self‐healing materials is demonstrated. This is achieved by thermo‐reversible network formation via (retro) Diels‐Alder chemistry between the furan groups in the side‐chain of the PFGE segments and a bifunctional maleimide crosslinker within drop‐cast polymer films. The process is studied in detail by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), depth‐sensing indentation, and profilometry. It is shown that such materials are capable of healing complex scratch patterns, also multiple times. Furthermore, microphase separation within PEO‐ b ‐PFGE block copolymer films is indicated by small angle X‐ray scattering (lamellar morphology with a domain spacing of approximately 19 nm), differential scanning calorimetry, and contact angle measurements.