Abstract
This chapter outlines fundamental and more advanced concepts in self-healing of materials. Although the primary focus is on molecular processes and chemical reactions leading to self-healing materials, physical processes associated with shape memory metals and metal oxides are also discussed. Specifically, the role of the following chemical reactions and physical processes is discussed: covalent bonds, reversible cycloaddition reactions, exchange reactions, stable free radical-mediated reshuffle reactions, heterocyclic compounds and carbohydrates in polyurethanes, supramolecular chemistry, hydrogen bonding, metal–ligand coordination, π–π stacking, ionic and host–guest interactions, chemo-mechanical self-healing, encapsulation and remote self-healing.
Publisher
The Royal Society of Chemistry