Key-and-lock commodity self-healing copolymers
Provided is a copolymer exhibiting self-healing properties. The copolymer comprises first units comprising first pendant groups wherein the first pendant groups are alkyls having at least 1 to no more than 6 carbons. Second units comprising second pendant groups are alkyls having at least 2 to no more than 8 carbons. The first units and second units are in a molar ratio of 45/55 to 55/45 and the pendant groups form an inter-pendant space having a volume of at least 80 Ang. 3 to no more than 140 Ang. 3 . The copolymer comprises no more than 3 adjacent first units and no more than 3 adjacent second units.
1. A copolymer comprising:
first units comprising first pendant groups wherein said first pendant groups are alkyls having at least 1 to no more than 6 carbons;
second units comprising second pendant groups wherein said second pendant groups are alkyls having at least 2 to no more than 8 carbons;
wherein said first units and said second units are in a molar ratio of 45/55 to 55/45 and said pendant groups form an inter-pendant space having a volume of at least 80 Ang. 3 to no more than 140 Ang. 3 ; and
wherein said copolymer is a random compolymer comprising no more than 3 adjacent first units and no more than 3 adjacent second units.
2. The copolymer of claim 1 wherein said inter-pendant space has a volume of at least 110 Ang. 3 to no more than 130 Ang. 3 .
3. The copolymer of claim 1 wherein said first unit is polymerized alkyl methacrylate.
4. The copolymer of claim 3 wherein said first unit is polymerized alkyl methacrylate comprising 1-3 carbons.
5. The copolymer of claim 4 wherein said first unit is polymerized methyl methacrylate.
6. The copolymer of claim 1 wherein said second unit is polymerized alkyl acrylate.
7. The copolymer of claim 6 wherein said second unit is comprises 4-6 alkyl carbons.
8. The copolymer of claim 7 wherein said second unit is polymerized butyl acrylate.
9. The copolymer of claim 1 wherein said copolymer comprises no more than 2 adjacent first units and no more than 2 adjacent second units.
10. The copolymer of claim 1 wherein said copolymer comprises alternating first units and second units.
11. The copolymer of claim 1 wherein said copolymer has a molecular weight of 10-10,000 kDA.
12. The copolymer of claim 11 wherein said copolymer has a molecular weight of 30-5,000 kDA.