Scientists report the first self-healing thermoset elastomer
that requires no intervention to induce its repair.
Self-healing polymers mend themselves by reforming broken
cross-linking bonds. However, the cross-linking healing mechanism usually
requires an external stimulus.
Triggers to promote bond repair include energy inputs, such
as heat or light, or specific environmental conditions, such as pH.
Self-healing polymers that can spontaneously achieve quantitative healing in
the absence of a catalyst have never been reported before, until now.