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Self-Healing Polymer-Based Coatings: Mechanisms and Applications Across Protective and Biofunctional Interfaces
Aldo Cordoba1,2, Fabiola A Gutiérrez-Mejía3, Gabriel Cepeda-Granados1
1Graduate and Research Division, Engineering Faculty, Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro, Cerro de las Campanas, Queretaro 76010, Mexico.
Polymers
|December 11, 2025
Summary
Self-healing polymer coatings can autonomously repair damage, restoring function. This review covers strategies like encapsulation and reversible chemistry for advanced protective materials in various applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
Background:
- Self-healing polymer coatings represent advanced adaptive materials.
- They possess the ability to restore structural integrity and functionality post-damage.
Purpose of the Study:
- To comprehensively review current strategies for self-healing in polymeric films.
- To analyze polymer-inorganic hybrid composites and vitrimeric systems for enhanced properties.
- To discuss applications in corrosion protection and biomedical interfaces.
Main Methods:
- Review of encapsulation techniques, reversible chemistry, and microvascular network formation.
- Analysis of polymer matrices including epoxy, polyurethane, silicone, and polyimine.
- Examination of dynamic covalent and supramolecular interactions in hydrogels.
Main Results:
- Tailoring interfacial compatibility, healing kinetics, and trigger specificity enables repeatable multi-cycle recovery.
- Polymer-inorganic hybrids and vitrimers offer integrated barrier protection, stimuli-responsive healing, and recyclability.
- Hydrogels demonstrate self-repair under physiological conditions.
Conclusions:
- Self-healing polymer coatings are maturing into multifunctional materials for engineering, environmental, and biomedical fields.
- Key challenges include standardizing evaluation, ensuring long-term stability, and scaling sustainable manufacturing.
