Spontaneous Wax Shielding for Enhancing Water-Sensitive Dynamic Imine Bond Stability
발표자
이지민 (중앙대학교)
연구책임자
우상혁 (중앙대학교)
초록
내용
Polymers based on dynamic imine bonds, which are typically formed via dehydration condensation reactions, are highly susceptible to hydrolysis. To address this issue, we introduce hydrocarbon wax into PDMS network to protect the imine bonds from water exposure. The incorporated wax, possessing inherently low surface energy, spontaneously migrates to the surface of the PDMS matrix, forming a hydrophobic layer that effectively suppresses water penetration. Due to the spatial confinement within the crosslinked PDMS, the wax exists in an amorphous state, allowing for flexible mobility. As a result, even after surface wax removal, internal wax can migrate to the surface, enabling dynamic and sustainable protection. This water-resistant, self-healing polymer matrix demonstrates stable crosslinking behavior and self-healing performance over repeated cycles, making it suitable for use in environments where moisture stability is required.