Dual-Layer Approach toward Self-Healing and Self-Cleaning Polyurethane Thermosets

There is an urgent need for coatings that exhibit both self-healing as well as self-cleaning properties as they can be used for a wide range of applications. Herein we report a novel approach toward fabricating polyurethane thermosets possessing both self-cleaning and self-healing properties. The de...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Muhammad Naveed, Muhammad Rabnawaz, Ajmir Khan, Mohammad O. Tuhin
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2019-11-01
Series:Polymers
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/11/11/1849
Description
Summary:There is an urgent need for coatings that exhibit both self-healing as well as self-cleaning properties as they can be used for a wide range of applications. Herein we report a novel approach toward fabricating polyurethane thermosets possessing both self-cleaning and self-healing properties. The desired coating was achieved via casting a bottom layer of self-healable polyurethanes comprised of reversible phenolic urethane bonds followed by a subsequent dip-coating of the prepared layer in a solution of bis(3-aminopropyl)-terminated polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS-NH<sub>2</sub>). The PDMS was used to impart self-cleaning properties to the coating. While the self-healing behavior of the bottom polyurethane layer is achieved through phenolic urethane chemistry, via the exchange of phenolic urethane moieties. The prepared coatings were tested for their optical, mechanical, self-healing, and self-cleaning properties using a variety of characterization methods, which confirmed the successful fabrication of novel self-cleaning and self-healing clear urethane coatings.
ISSN:2073-4360