Self-healing polymer gels based on dynamic covalent bonds

Dynamic covalent bonds have high mechanical strength and stability like ordinary covalent bonds and can reversibly break and rebuild like intermolecular forces(such as hydrogen bonding).The properties of dynamic covalent bonds are introduced.The advantages of building smart gels based on dynamic covalent bonds are described.Specifically,the structure and dynamic chemistry of diarylbibenzo furanone(DABBF),trithiocarbonate(TTC),phenylboronic aciddiol ester bond,acylhydrazone bond and disulfide bond are reviewed.The methods of utilizing those dynamic covalent bonds to construct dynamic gels with self-healing properties,including the healing mechanisms,are presented.Combining two or more covalent bonds to construct dynamic gels with more complex responsiveness are proposed.Problems,such as compatibility of the dynamic covalent bonds,spectroscopic methods for characterizing self-healing mechanisms and capabilities,and application-oriented systems need to be further investigated.