Advances in self-healing coatings based on Diels-Alder chemistry

Dynamic covalent polymer networks based on the Diels-Alder (DA) cycloaddition between furan and maleimide represent powerful and highly investigated tools in the design of self-healing coatings. In this minireview the most recent demonstrations of repairable coatings based on such platform chemistry are comprehensively discussed. In particular, the trends in the synthesis of DA networks, the enhancement of properties and advanced coating applications over the last ten years are highlighted. Furthermore, the current challenges in terms of the sustainability of DA coatings, performance assessment and the technological feasibility of healing procedures are outlined in the context of a future large-scale implementation.