Biofouling on surfaces immersed in aquatic environment induces catastrophic corrosion of metallic materials in petrochemical infrastructures, maritime facilities, and power plants. To combat the synergistic effect of biofouling and corrosion on the deterioration of metallic materials, smart coatings possessing a dual function of antibiofouling and anticorrosion properties are needed. Herein, redox‐responsive copolymer conjugates are synthesized and employed as coatings with the dual function of biofouling and corrosion mitigation. The dual function of copolymers is attributed to fluorinated units and the corrosion inhibitor 2‐mercaptobenzothiazole (MBT) conjugated via disulfide linkages. Indeed, the disulfide linkages can be cleaved in a reducing environment, yielding controlled release of the corrosion inhibitor MBT during corrosion process. The antibiofouling action against protein adsorption and algal attachment is enabled by cooperation of the repellent characteristic of fluorinated moieties and the biocidal effect of conjugated MBT.
Self‐healing materials are explored for restoring mechanical, electrical, and chemical properties. Inspired by the process of tattooing on human skin, a method for engraving non‐permanent or permanent messages on plastics is developed. A self‐healing polymer containing dynamic disulfide bonds is employed as substrate for encryption of written messages. The polymer is engraved with a dye solution which is subsequently covered by the polymer matrix upon activation with temperature increase. The dye is then located at the subsurface of the substrate so that the information cannot be removed easily by wear or extraction with solvents. Therefore, self‐healing polymers can be applied as sustainable substrates for reversibly and irreversibly engraving information.
Photochromic materials have recently received strong interest for the development of wearable ultraviolet (UV) detection technologies because they do not require electronic components, resulting in systems and devices that change color upon irradiation. However, their implementation in wearable technology has lightweight, compliance, and durability (especially under mechanical stress) requirements that are limited by the materials’ properties. Here, a self‐healing photochromic elastomer composite (photoPUSH) consisting of phosphomolybdic acid (PMA) in a self‐healing polyurethane dynamic network with reversible disulfide bonds (PUSH) is presented. The unique properties of the dynamic polymer matrix enable multiple complementary functions in the UV‐sensing composite: i) photochromism via electron donor groups without requiring additional dopants, ii) stretchability and durability via elastomeric properties, iii) healing of extreme mechanical damage via dynamic bonds, and iv) multimaterial integration via adhesive properties. PhotoPUSH composites exhibit excellent durability, tunable sensing range, and no loss of performance under mechanical stress and severe damage, as well as in underwater environments (waterproof). Leveraging these properties, soft, portable, multimaterial photoPUSH‐based UV‐sensing devices are developed for applications in environmental monitoring, packaging, and healthcare wearable technology (including skin‐mounted, textile‐mounted, and wristband devices) in challenging environments and tunable to different skin types.
Organic coatings are one of the most popular and powerful strategies for protecting metals against corrosion. They can be applied to in different ways, such as by dipping, spraying, electrophoresis, casting, painting, or flow coating. They offer great flexibility of material designs and cost effectiveness. Moreover, since about 20 years self‐healing has evolved as a new research topic for protective organic coatings. Responsive materials play a crucial role in this new research field. However, for a really targeted development of high performance self‐healing coatings for corrosion protection, it is not sufficient just to focus on smart responsive materials and suitable active agents for self‐healing. A better understanding of how coatings can react on different stimuli induced by corrosion, how these stimuli can spread in the coating and how the released agents can reach the corroding defect is also of high importance. Such knowledge would allow to design coatings which are optimised for specific applications. Herein, the requirements and possibilities from the corrosion and synthesis perspectives for designing materials for preparing self‐healing coatings for corrosion protection are discussed.This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved
Transparent soft materials are widely used in applications ranging from packaging to flexible displays, wearable devices, and optical lenses. Nevertheless, soft materials are susceptible to mechanical damage, leading to functional failure and premature disposal. Herein, a transparent self-healing elastomer that is able to repair the polymer network via exchange reactions of dynamic disulfide bonds is introduced. Due to its self-healing ability, the mechanical properties of the elastomer can be recovered as well as its transparency after multiple cycles of abrasion and healing. The self-healing polymer is fabricated into 3D structures by folding or modular origami assembly of planar self-healing polymer sheets. The 3D polymer objects are employed as storage containers of solid and liquid substances, reactors for photopolymerization, and cuvettes for optical measurements (exhibiting superior properties to those of commercial cuvettes). These dynamic polymers show outstanding mechanical, optical, and recycling properties that could potentially be further adapted in adaptive smart packaging, reconfigurable materials, optical devices, and recycling of elastomers.
Photochromic Polymer Composites
In article number 2213717, Abdon Pena‐Francesch (UM), Daniel Crespy (VISTEC), and Tiwa Yimyai (VISTEC), developed multifunctional elastomer composites with dynamic polymer networks to enable light‐responsive color changes, large stretchability and durability, adhesive properties, and healing properties to recover function after damage. They demonstrate these dynamic composites into functional soft devices including sticker, skin‐mounted, textile‐mounted, and wristband sensors for portable and wearable UV dose monitoring.
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