Supramolecular Structure for Self-Healing Elastomers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing self-healing systems for electronic devices are primarily based on soft materials, which lack sufficient mechanical characteristics, making them inadequate for protecting against external damages.
Innovation Solution
A supramolecular structure is developed, comprising first oligomers with zwitterions at terminal ends and second oligomers with hydrogen-bondable functional groups, forming a three-dimensional network structure that combines self-healing and mechanical properties through ionic and hydrogen bonding, allowing for high self-healing efficiency and tensile stress resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If soft materials are used for self-healing systems, then self-healing capability is achieved, but mechanical characteristics become insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite supramolecular structure combining two types of oligomers with different functions: first oligomers with zwitterions provide self-healing capability through ionic bonding, while second oligomers with hydrogen-bondable groups provide mechanical strength through hydrogen bonding networks. This composite approach allows simultaneous achievement of both self-healing reliability and mechanical characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes temperature-dependent bonding characteristics to achieve self-healing. The zwitterionic ionic bonds and hydrogen bonds exhibit reversible breaking and reforming at specific temperatures (40-60°C), allowing the material to heal damages autonomously while maintaining structural integrity at lower temperatures. This parameter change enables dynamic adjustment between healing and strengthening functions.
2Reliability
If zwitterionic oligomers are used for self-healing, then self-healing efficiency increases, but mechanical strength decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges two supramolecular systems into a single interpenetrating network: the zwitterionic oligomer system (providing self-healing through ionic bond reversibility) and the hydrogen-bonded oligomer system (providing mechanical strength). The interpenetrating structure allows both systems to coexist and contribute their respective functions simultaneously, achieving high self-healing efficiency while maintaining adequate tensile stress resistance.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The supramolecular structure achieves self-healing efficiency of greater than 90% and tensile stress resistance of 0.3 MPa to 3 MPa at 40° C. to 60° C., effectively addressing the trade-off between self-healing and mechanical strength.
Implementation Method 1
a supramolecule comprising the plurality of first oligomers and a supramolecule comprising the plurality of second oligomers are interpenetrated to form a three-dimensional network structure
Implementation Method 2
a supramolecule comprising the plurality of first oligomers and a supramolecule comprising the plurality of second oligomers are interpenetrated to form a three-dimensional network structure
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are a supramolecular structure including a plurality of first oligomers having a zwitterion at the terminal end and a plurality of second oligomers having a hydrogen-bondable functional group at the terminal end, wherein a supramolecule including the plurality of first oligomers and a supramolecule including the plurality of second oligomers form a three-dimensional network structure, and a method of manufacturing the same, a self-healing elastomer, a self-healing film, and an electronic device.