Self-Repairing Oxetane-Substituted Chitosan Polyurethane Networks
Biswajit Ghosh and
Marek W. Urban*
Polyurethanes have many properties that qualify them as high-performance
polymeric materials, but they still suffer from mechanical damage.
We report the development of polyurethane networks that exhibit
self-repairing characteristics upon exposure to ultraviolet
light. The network consists of an oxetane-substituted chitosan
precursor incorporated into a two-component polyurethane. Upon
mechanical damage of the network, four-member oxetane rings
open to create two reactive ends. When exposed to ultraviolet
light, chitosan chain scission occurs, which forms crosslinks
with the reactive oxetane ends, thus repairing the network.
These materials are capable of repairing themselves in less
than an hour and can be used in many coatings applications,
ranging from transportation to packaging or fashion and biomedical
industries.
* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: marek.urban{at}usm.edu
