Development of self-healing multifunctional materials

Reversible hydrogen bonds determined by interaction between epoxy resin and nanocages of polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) compound have been employed to activate self-healing mechanisms integrated in thermosetting multifunctional materials. The phase composition of the multifunctional resin containing embedded multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) can be advantageously exploited to enhance the healing efficiency up to 400%. The presence of MWCNT is responsible of a greater mobility of chains belonging to domains finely interpenetrated in the matrix where the reversible hydrogen bonds can provide enhanced healing efficiency. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.