Intrinsic Repeated Self-Healing Textiles: Developing Electrospun Fabrics for Enhanced Durability and Stretchability.

The development of healable polymers represents a significant advancement in materials science, addressing the need for sustainable solutions that can reduce waste and prolong the lifespan of various products. For the development of healable polymer fabrics, however, there are still unsolved issues because of limited healing cycles and poor mechanical properties. In this work, we present intrinsically healable materials for the creation of stretchable, healable fabrics.

Intrinsically Healable and Photoresponsive Electrospun Fabrics: Integrating PVDF-HFP, TPU, and Azobenzene Ionic Liquids.

In recent years, the integration of multifunctional properties into electrospun fabrics has garnered significant attention for applications in wearable devices and smart textiles. A major challenge lies in achieving a balance among intermolecular interactions, structural stability, and responsiveness to external stimuli. In this study, we address this challenge by developing intrinsically healable and photoresponsive electrospun fabrics composed of poly(vinylidene fluoride--hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-HFP), thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), and an azobenzene-based ionic liquid ([AzoCMIM][TFSI]).

Alkaline-Responsive, Self-Healable, and Conductive Copolymer Composites with Enhanced Mechanical Properties Tailored for Wearable Tech.

Despite significant advancements, current self-healing materials often suffer from a compromise between mechanical robustness and functional performance, particularly in terms of conductivity and responsiveness to environmental stimuli. Addressing this issue, the research introduces a self-healable and conductive copolymer, poly(ionic liquid-co-acrylic acid) (PIL-co-PAA), synthesized through free radical polymerization, and further optimized by incorporating thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). This combination leverages the unique properties of each component, especially ion-dipole interactions and hydrogen bonds, resulting in a material that exhibits exceptional self-healing abilities and demonstrates enhanced mechanical properties and electrical conductivity.

Photo-Healable Fabrics: Achieving Structural Control via Photochemical Solid-Liquid Transitions of Polystyrene/Azobenzene-Containing Polymer Blends.

While polymer fabrics are integral to a wide range of applications, their vulnerability to mechanical damage limits their sustainability and practicality. Addressing this challenge, our study introduces a versatile strategy to develop photohealable fabrics, utilizing a composite of polystyrene (PS) and an azobenzene-containing polymer (PAzo). This combination leverages the structural stability of PS to compensate for the mechanical weaknesses of PAzo, forming the fiber structures.