The straightforward synthesis of a urea polymer network is presented. Commercially available monomers are polymerized using light-induced polymerization, resulting in networks crosslinked by hindered urea molecules. These moieties are reversible and, thus, can be converted into the starting compounds (that is, isocyanate and amine) by a simple thermal treatment. This process is monitored using differential scanning calorimetry as well as Raman and infrared spectroscopy. Furthermore, the self-healing ability of these polymer networks is investigated using scratch-healing tests as well as bulk-healing investigations using tensile testing. The resultant materials have a high E-modulus, are able to heal scratches at temperatures above 70 °C multiple times and their mechanical properties can be partially regenerated. The underlying healing mechanism is based on the reversible opening of the urea bonds and exchange reactions between two functional groups, which were confirmed from a spectroscopic analysis. In summary, these new materials are a new type of intrinsically healable polymers and provide a first step toward hard and healable polymers.

提出了尿素聚合物网络的直接合成。使用光诱导聚合来聚合可商购的单体，从而导致网络受阻尿素分子交联。这些部分是可逆的，因此可以通过简单的热处理将其转化为起始化合物（即异氰酸酯和胺）。使用差示扫描量热法以及拉曼和红外光谱法监测该过程。此外，这些聚合物网络的自我修复能力是使用划痕修复测试以及通过拉伸测试进行的批量修复研究的。所得材料的E高模量高，能够在高于70°C的温度下多次修复划痕，并且可以部分恢复其机械性能。潜在的修复机制基于尿素键的可逆打开和两个官能团之间的交换反应，这已通过光谱分析得到了证实。总而言之，这些新材料是一种新型的本质上可修复的聚合物，为迈向硬而可修复的聚合物迈出了第一步。