A review on Diels-Alder based self-healing polymer composites

Self-healing polymers are the materials which can heal the internal cracks or damages automatically without any external intervention. The concept of self-healing has been derived from the biological systems such as human bone or skin which can heal automatically. This paper reviews the self-healing polymers based on Diels-Alder reaction where diene and dienophile groups form reversible covalent bond between them in the polymer matrix. A comprehensive review on Diels-Alder based self-healing composites reinforced with nano-fillers from the last decade have been reported here. The present status followed by future scope in this area has also been discussed briefly at the end of this review. (paper)