Self-healing Supramolecular Polymeric Materials

Self-healing materials, which autonomously repair damage and restore functionality, are pivotal for advancing sustainable technologies and extending material lifespans. Inspired by the multi-stage healing process of human skin, self-healing materials employ two primary strategies: (1) dynamic reversible bonds (e.g., hydrogen bonding, metal–ligand coordination, π–π stacking, etc.) enabling repeated structural reassembly; and (2) embedded microvascular that release healing agents upon damage. Supramolecular polymers exemplify rapid ambient-temperature self-repair through non-covalent interactions, where mechanical properties arise from dynamic equilibrium between bond association and dissociation. However, balancing mechanical robustness with dynamic reversibility remains challenging, influenced by interaction strength, polymer backbone rigidity, and network heterogeneity. This chapter systematically reviews the design and synthesis of self-healing supramolecular polymers, focusing on non-covalent interaction-driven self-healing mechanisms, mechanical properties, and discusses their emerging applications in materials requiring both durability and efficient repair capabilities, such as biomedical materials, energy storage material, and stretchable electronics.