Rheokinetic evaluation of self-healing agents polymerized by Grubbs catalyst embedded in various thermosetting systems

In self-healing polymers and composites, the activity of the embedded chemical catalyst within the thermosetting matrix is critical to healing efficiency. Rheological behavior of ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP)-based healing agents, triggered by 1st or 2nd generation Grubbs catalyst suspended in various thermosetting resins, was investigated using an oscillatory parallel plate rheometer. Gel times for various healing agents were determined from the crossover of storage and loss moduli vs. time curves to indicate the activity of the ROMP reaction. Gelation of healing agents initiated by 1st generation Grubbs catalyst occurred faster than those triggered by 2nd generation catalyst. It is suggested that the dissolution rate of the catalyst by the healing agent is an important factor in determining the overall ROMP reaction rate in situ. Optical and scanning electron microscopic observations showed that the finer, rod-like solid particles of the 1st generation catalyst were distributed more homogeneously throughout the cured matrix. The effects of different healing agents and thermosetting matrix systems on the ROMP reaction are discussed in detail.