Different block copolymers containing terpyridine were synthesized applying the reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. The block copolymers contain polystyrene as hard block, and the soft block consists of n-butyl acrylate (BA) as well as terpyridine units as ligand. These block copolymers were further cross-linked with several metal salts in order to tune the self-healing behavior. Metallopolymers cross-linked with manganese(II) chloride featured the best self-healing behavior. Furthermore, a two-step mechanism behind the self-healing process of these metallopolymers could be attributed to each block of the copolymer and was studied extensively. In addition, rheological parameters were determined and correlated with the other results.@en

A new polymeric material utilizing a highly efficient as well as reversible thiol-ene click reaction is presented. For this purpose, a trithiol is reacted with a bisbenzylcyanoacetamide derivative resulting in the formation of a dynamic polymer network. The self-healing ability of this novel material is tested by scratch healing experiments. Healing is found to take place from 60 °C onward. The underlying healing mechanism is studied in detail using temperature-dependent Raman spectroscopy confirming the reversible opening of the thiol-ene adducts. Additionally, the thermal and mechanical properties are investigated by differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, and rheological measurements proving the network formation as well as its reversibility during the thermal treatment. (Figure presented.).

@en