Advances in self-healing supramolecular soft materials and nanocomposites

Abstract

Abstract The ability to rationally tune and add new end-groups in polymers can lead to transformative advances in emerging self-healing materials. Self-healing networks manipulated by supramolecular strategies such as hydrogen bonding and metal coordination have received significant attention in recent years because of their ability to extend materials lifetime, improve safety and ensure sustainability. This review describes the recent advancements in supramolecular polymers self-healing networks based on hydrogen bonding, metal-containing polymers and their nanocomposites. Collectively, the aim of this review is to provide a panoramic overview of the conceptual framework for the interesting nexus between hydrogen bonding and metal–ligand interactions for enabling supramolecular self-healing soft materials networks and nanocomposites. In addition, insights on the current challenges and future perspectives of this field to propel the development of self-healing materials will be provided.

Keywords

• Self-healing
• Supramolecular polymer nanocomposites
• Hydrogen bonding
• Metal-complexes