Bio‐Inspired Multiple Cycle Healing and Damage Sensing in Elastomer–Magnet Nanocomposites

Abstract

Damage‐sensing and healing are biological functions which are urgently required in structural health monitoring and remediation of engineering structures. The development of a bio‐inspired multiple cycle damage sensing and triggered healing magnet–polymer nanocomposite (Magpol) is reported. Magpol is comprised of an acrylonitrile butadiene co‐polymer (NBR) matrix and a magnetic nanoparticle (MNP) filler. Magpol nanocomposites in a range of MNP filler concentrations are studied. NBR is selected as the matrix due to its extensive use in industrial coatings, for example, in the automotive industry. Mn‐Zn ferrite MNP is chosen due to its appropriate Curie temperature and good specific absorption rate. Exposure of damaged Magpol to a remote external alternating magnetic field results in MNP heating. The MNP heats the surrounding NBR matrix, resulting in triggered healing. Fractured Magpol samples are successfully healed over several cycles. Incorporation of rhodamine b mechano‐chromophore in Magpol results in multicycle damage sensing by photo‐luminescent absorption. Thus, the developed Magpol is attractive for structural health monitoring and remediation application.

Ultrafast Remote Healing of Magneto-Responsive Thermoplastic Elastomer-Based Nanocomposites

“…However, this study was restricted to a low-T g (costly) fluorinated terpolymer. Alternatively, Ramanujan et al developed promising healable rubbers based on copolymers (either polyethylene−vinyl acetate or acrylonitrile butadiene), 8,9 but the lack of systematic physical characterization inhibits the adaptation of the concept to more conventional, that is, industry-oriented, chemistries. Alternatively, several research groups attempted to control the solid-to-liquid transition in model supramolecular networks through induction heating.…”

“…However, this study was restricted to a low- T g (costly) fluorinated terpolymer. Alternatively, Ramanujan et al developed promising healable rubbers based on copolymers (either polyethylene–vinyl acetate or acrylonitrile butadiene), , but the lack of systematic physical characterization inhibits the adaptation of the concept to more conventional, that is, industry-oriented, chemistries. Alternatively, several research groups attempted to control the solid-to-liquid transition in model supramolecular networks through induction heating. − In these examples, ionic aggregates, terpyridine, and ureidopyrimidinone moieties were, respectively, used, without providing strong mechanical properties to the materials, which displayed a shear modulus below 1 MPa or a flow regime at room temperature.…”

Recent advances on the structure–properties relationship of multiblock copolymers

“…On one hand, it concerns industrial applications, where MBCs are mainly used as thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) for which the 3.84 million tons market in 2021 is expected to grow to 5.55 million tons by 2026. 47 These materials present the great advantage to be melt processable and possibly reparable on-demand, 48,49 making them promising candidates to substitute vulcanized rubbers in many applications including, but not limited to, wire sheaths, 50 shoe soles, seals and possibly tires. 51,52 Besides, TPEs are frequently used as bitumen modifiers, 53,54 adhesives, 55,56 energy dissipators, 57 reinforcing fibers, 58 ground coverings, polyelectrolytes, 42,59 compatibilizers, 60 strain sensors, 61,62 antibacterial coatings 63 and particularly in the car industry as dashboard elements or other automotive parts.…”

Fate of Magnetic Nanoparticles during Stimulated Healing of Thermoplastic Elastomers

“…9 The Ramanujan group also developed promising healable rubbers based on the copolymers poly(ethylene-vinyl acetate) (PEVA) 10 or acrylonitrile butadiene (NBR). 11 The same philosophy was used by the Schmidt group with ionomers, where the elasticity of the rubber relied on the aggregation of ionic groups rather than the polymer crystallization. 12 The optimization of the material's formulation and stimulus by Yang et al further allowed for the formulation of repairable homopolymers with extremely low fractions of responsive fillers (<0.25 vol %) capable of selectively migrating toward microcracks before healing and subsequent rehomogenization.…”