A Disulfide-Based Poly(ether-b-amide) Copolymer with Rapid Self-healing Ability under Moderate Conditions

A disulfide-based poly(ether-b-amide) copolymer with rapid self-healing capability under moderate conditions was synthesized from 4,4'-dithiodibutyric acid (DTDBA), isophorondiamine (IPDA) and poly(tetramethylene oxide) (PTMO) based on a two-step method. The incorporation of IPDA with asymmetric structure and substantial steric hindrance not only effectively decreased the number of regular H-bonds, but also inhibited the crystallization of polyamide segments, imparting the synthesized poly(ether-b-amide) copolymer with an amorphous structural feature. Based on the coordination of segmental diffusion and recombination of disulfide bonds and hydrogen bonds, the scratches and damaged mechanical properties of PEBADS-I611 could be completely self-healed after healing at 40 degree celsius for only 11 min and 3 h, respectively.