A Study On Enhancement Of Self-healing Polymer By Nanoparticles

Abstract

Self-healing polymer materials have garnered significant interest due to their potential applications in various fields. This research project aimed to investigate the self-healing capabilities of polymer materials and explore the efficacy of nanomaterial doping in enhancing their self-repairing performance. The primary objective of this study was to examine the impact of nanomaterial doping on the self-repairing properties of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) hydrogels. The incorporation of nanomaterial dopants has shown promise in augmenting the self-healing ability of polymers. The significance of this research lies in the potential to develop advanced materials with improved durability and prolonged lifespan, leading to reduced maintenance requirements and enhanced performance in a wide range of applications. Experimental investigations were conducted to measure the mechanical strength of regular PVA hydrogels and their mechanical strength after fracture repair. The results revealed a notable enhancement in the self-repairing capability of PVA hydrogels upon doping with 0.1% titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles. However, when doped with 1% of nanoparticles, the self-healing properties of the material are reduced. The main reason for the increase in self-healing efficiency is that the nanoparticles play a role in fixing the polymer chains, preventing the fractured polymer chains from becoming disordered. They also prevent the defects at the fracture site from propagating into the bulk of the polymer material. On the other hand, the reason for the decrease in self-healing performance is that an excessive amount of nanoparticles occupies the space required for the reformation of the easily breakable hydrogen bonds, and also limits the mobility of the polymer chains. In conclusion, it is essential to limit the amount of nanoparticles in a propriate range, if it is used to enhance the self-healing property of polymers.