形状記憶ゲルの繊維強化による自己修復材料の創製

概要

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Shape-memory gels, composed of both crystalline part and amorphous gel part as composite, can be used to develop novel self-repairing materials solving environmental problems in recent days. In this study, the shape-memory gels are reinforced by adding hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) as a liquid crystalline polymer, in order to improve the strength of the ordered structure in the crystalline part or to improve the toughness of the elastic matrix of the amorphous part. It is found that the maximum stress of the HPC-reinforced shape-memory gels is increased with low molecular weight of HPC. On the other hand, the maximum strain is increased with high molecular weight HPC especially. It implies that the effects of HPC depend on the molecular weight, that is, low molecular weight HPC strengthens the crystalline domain, while high molecular HPC reinforces the amorphous gel matrix. Also, X-ray scattering showed that the HPC enhances the slip of lamellar structure in the crystalline domain during self-repairing process.