Papers by Keyword: Self-Healing

Abstract: In this research, a new type of trifunctional aldehyde derived from waste biological resources (vanillin) was developed. Subsequently, this trifunctional aldehyde was reacted with amines to prepare a polyimine vitrimer with dynamic covalent bonds. The obtained polyimine vitrimer exhibits excellent mechanical and self-healing properties and thermal stability, with a tensile strength of 49.81 MPa and the char yield reaches 55.75%. Through this study, we developed a simple, quick and gentle way to prepare re-processable vitrimer with good physical properties. Moreover, the use of biological resources as monomers is of great significance for waste recycling and reuse.

Abstract: This research paper approaches a new insight toward reducing the manual, mechanical and codependent systemization as an upcoming trend for architectural sustainability and autonomous power providing. By describing some new methods of applied and tested functional features through enhancing or rearrange the properties of ordinary and composite materials in the field of build and construction, it demonstrates a new prospect of wider investments in innovative material production in architectural design and actuation. Also, reveals new methodologies for individual and non-linear autonomy to providing long-term maintenance in extreme conditions or sudden damages as a supportive capability for the used materials to be adopted in design processes.

Abstract: Self-healing composites are smart materials that can be fabricated through the dispersion of tubular nanofillers loaded with appropriate healing agents in a polymeric matrix. In this study, polysulfone (PSf) containing epoxy-loaded halloysite nanotubes (e-HNTs) were successfully fabricated via non-induced phase separation (NIPS) method at varying concentrations. Fourier Transform Spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis showed that epoxy (healing agent) and amine (hardener) were successfully loaded into the lumen of the HNT through the observed functional groups of the epoxy system along the HNT spectrum. The tensile strength of the loaded membranes compared to their unloaded counterpart slightly decreased due to the possible embrittlement of the unreacted epoxy. However, the membranes with epoxy-loaded HNTs garnered lower wettability on average due to the hydrophobic character of the epoxy system, which is a preferable trait for smart coatings. The self-healing capability of the membranes with 5% filler (loaded and unloaded) was investigated by scratch test and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The result revealed a high tendency of healing for the epoxy-infused nanocomposite film.

Abstract: We present here a small series of compounds designed to modify the polymer chain of various polyurethanes in order to introduce a structural fragment with the ability of thermally-triggered reversible covalent interactions. Bismaleimides (2a-2e) were synthesized from commercially available aromatic and aliphatic symmetric diamines (1a-1e) and were further introduced into the Diels-Alder reaction with furfuryl alcohol as dienophiles. The Diels-Alder adducts (3a-3e) were obtained as a mixture of endo- and exo-isomer. The presence of symmetrical hydroxyl groups in the structure of the obtained compounds makes them suitable as chain extenders of low molecular weight diisocyanate prepolymers. The presence of a thermally reversible Diels-Alder reaction adduct in the structure of potential chain-extenders opens a possibility to create unique materials with self-healing properties. All compounds obtained were characterized by ¹H, ¹³C NMR, ESI-HRMS, and IR spectroscopy. The thermochemical parameters of the reverse Diels-Alder reaction were established using DSC analysis.

Abstract: A synthetic method for the new chain extenders with different amounts of furan groups and a prepolymer derived from three-furyl diol was developed. A series of polyurethanes cross-linked via the Diels-Alder reaction with various amounts of bismaleimide were produced. The structure, mechanical and thermal properties, and recycling ability of the obtained materials were investigated.

Abstract: Crack formation is a common and generally inevitable phenomenon in the field of concrete structures. On the other hand, the ever-increasing demand for sustainable construction, thus the structures durability, has led researchers to propose and investigate various crack-sealing methods. This study deals with the key aspect of these investigations – the in-vitro creation of cracks. A large number of the conducted studies have been carried out on artificially cracked specimens, and various methodologies of the controlled crack introduction were presented; however, no specific method was clearly preferred. In this paper, several approaches to the crack introduction are applied: cracking through compressive loading, tensile loading, and 3-point bending. Further, different types of specimens are presented: plain concrete, reinforced with short and long steel fibers, and reinforced with steel rod. The achievable crack characteristics, such as widths or its stability over time, are evaluated and compared. This study thus provides valuable overlook of the possible approaches to the controlled crack creation and points out their potential and limitations. Based on the comparisons presented in this paper, the long steel fiber reinforced concrete specimens subjected to 3-point bending are identified as the most appropriate method of crack induction.

Abstract: The key physical and mechanical property is the strength of the capsules, which ensure the implementation of the self-healing technology, in which the capsules are not destroyed during the compaction of the asphalt concrete mixture, but are destroyed during the formation of defects in the asphalt concrete. An increase in the content of the reducing agent in the composition of the alginate emulsion leads to a decrease in the breaking load during compression of the capsules, which is explained by an increase in their diameter. But the change in the content of sodium alginate does not have a significant effect on mechanical properties. As a result of exposure to a temperature of 170 °C, a decrease in the strength of the capsules by 22 % after 1 hour of exposure in the burning oven is observed, and with an increase in the time to 4 hours, the strength decreases by 46.9 %. The maximum decrease in the strength index after 4 hours of exposure at a temperature of 160 °C reaches 29.9 %. A decrease in temperature to 150 °C leads to a decrease in the loss of strength. The strength of the capsules decreases by 4 % after 4 hours of exposure at 150 °C. Exposure of capsules to a temperature of 140 °C has no significant effect on strength.

Abstract: Microencapsulation of natural vegetable oil as a self-healing agent on metal coating became demanded lately. This paper underlines the microcapsule containing natural and wastes sunflower oil as a self-healing agent that was fabricated for the backbone of corrosion coatings. The results in this paper indicated the distinguished potential of waste sunflower oil as compared to natural sunflower oil. The diameter of microcapsules synthesized from natural sunflower oil and waste sunflower oil both in range of 3-4 µm. The shell of microcapsules microencapsulated from natural sunflower oil showed rough micro-structure while the shell of microcapsules microencapsulated from waste sunflower oil showed smooth micro-structure. The main parameter studied in this research was the varient of stirring speed during the process of microencapsulation. The involvement of stirring speed starts from 200 to 400 rpm. The microcapsules undergo varient of stirring speed analyzed on the yield and core content of microcapsules. The microcapsules from natural produced 29-50% while waste resources bring 26-48% of yield productions. The core content of microencapsulated natural sunflower oil generates 55-64% core content as comparing with waste sources which produce 56-67% of core content. It can be concluded that it was proved that sunflower oil could be considered as an alternative resource for self-healing agent in metal coating either encapsulated from natural or waste raw materials. The incorporation of green and natural material as a self-healing agent significantly influences the sustaining the environment to the safest stage.

Abstract: In the present work, the self-healing process in concrete was evaluated using analytical techniques. For this purpose, two concrete mixes of different composition (one used as control) were prepared with a water-to-binder ratio of 0.45. The self-healing process was triggered by the introduction in the concrete mix of a commercial expansive admixture (calcium sulfo-aluminate), two dicarboxylic acids, and sodium carbonate salt. After 28 days curing in water, the specimens were artificially cracked (crack width ≤ 900 μm) and then again water-cured for further 60 days until self-healing occurred. The progress of self-healing was investigated with a stereomicroscope at 40, 50, and 60 days, after cracking, to identify the quality and the degree of the healing. The efficiency of the self-healing process was also evaluated using micro-Raman spectroscopy and X-ray micro-computed tomography. Significant reduction in the crack width was observed as a result of a calcite filling, generated during the self-healing process. In some cases (crack width < 400 μm), the crack was completely healed. The experimental methodology used provided new insights into the evolution of the self-healing phenomenon in concrete.

Abstract: In this study, Na₂CO₃ solution as a self-healing agent was impregnated in LWA for autonomic self-healing on cracked cementitious material. The results showed that under the joint action of expansive agent, crystalline additive, phosphate and carbonate, the crack area showed a high self-healing efficiency (close to 70%) after curing in the still water 28d. SEM-EDS test results showed that in addition to ettringite and C-S-H/C-A-S-H, there was also a large amount of CaCO₃ crystal in the depths of the crack.