A thermally-stable self-mending polymer networked by Diels–Alder cycloaddition

A novel self-mending polymer with high thermal stability is developed based on the DA reaction between anthracene and maleimide. A network polymer, PEAA2M3 is prepared by the DA reaction of anthryl-telechelic poly(ethylene adipate) and a tris-maleimide. While the forward DA (addition) reaction is favored at room temperature, the reverse DA (dissociation) reaction is induced by mechanical stress. This mechanochemical reversibility allows the autonomous mending of cracks in PEAA2M3 at room temperature. It is well known that the thermal dissociation of the DA reaction occurs only at very high temperatures at which organic polymers degrades significantly. Therefore, thermal stability is successfully combined with self-mending ability in PEAA2M3.