Self-healing polymer–clay hybrids by facile complexation of a waterborne polymer with a clay

Abstract

Water-induced self-healing materials were prepared by the hybridization of a water-soluble polymer, poly(vinyl alcohol), with a smectite clay via mixing in an aqueous medium and subsequent casting. Without using chemical crosslinking agents or heat treatment, the poly(vinyl alcohol)–clay hybrid adhered strongly to substrates, showing self-healing when immersed in water (25 °C). The healing was completed within 1 min by soaking a damaged poly(vinyl alcohol)–clay film under such conditions as in cold water (2 °C), simulated seawater, steam, HCl solutions (pH = 1) and NaOH solutions (pH = 14). The healing was seen repeatedly 10 times.