Synergistic dual dynamic bonds for enhanced self-repair performance in HTPB binders

TY - JOUR

T1 - Synergistic dual dynamic bonds for enhanced self-repair performance in HTPB binders

AU - Zhang, Ming hao

AU - Hu, Xing ling

AU - Geng, Zhi shuai

AU - Yang, Wei

AU - Yang, Fan zhi

AU - Luo, Yun jun

AU - Xia, Min

N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2026 The Authors.

PY - 2026/3

Y1 - 2026/3

N2 - Energetic materials serve as critical energy sources for weapon systems and equipment. During manufacturing and storage processes, microcracks may form in these materials, posing significant safety risks. Self-healing materials capable of autonomously repairing microstructural damage have emerged as a promising solution to mitigate such hazards. Therefore, this study focuses on the self-healing property of hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB), a widely utilized binder in solid propellants. We develop a self-healing adhesive film (HP-SS) by reacting isocyanate-terminated polybutadiene (IPDI-HTPB-IPDI) with two dynamic chain extenders, bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)disulfide and bis(2-aminophenyl)disulfide. The optimized HP-SS exhibits exceptional healing efficiency of 96.0 %. Through systematic optimization of chain extender content, a series of adhesive films with tunable hydrogen bond density and hard segment content are prepared. The synergistic effects of disulfide metathesis and hydrogen bonding on self-healing performance are comprehensively investigated, including the influence of healing duration, temperature, and molecular mobility. This work proposes a novel strategy for regulating HTPB-based self-healing systems by balancing soft/hard segment ratios and hydrogen bond interactions, providing insights for designing high-performance energetic composites.

AB - Energetic materials serve as critical energy sources for weapon systems and equipment. During manufacturing and storage processes, microcracks may form in these materials, posing significant safety risks. Self-healing materials capable of autonomously repairing microstructural damage have emerged as a promising solution to mitigate such hazards. Therefore, this study focuses on the self-healing property of hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB), a widely utilized binder in solid propellants. We develop a self-healing adhesive film (HP-SS) by reacting isocyanate-terminated polybutadiene (IPDI-HTPB-IPDI) with two dynamic chain extenders, bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)disulfide and bis(2-aminophenyl)disulfide. The optimized HP-SS exhibits exceptional healing efficiency of 96.0 %. Through systematic optimization of chain extender content, a series of adhesive films with tunable hydrogen bond density and hard segment content are prepared. The synergistic effects of disulfide metathesis and hydrogen bonding on self-healing performance are comprehensively investigated, including the influence of healing duration, temperature, and molecular mobility. This work proposes a novel strategy for regulating HTPB-based self-healing systems by balancing soft/hard segment ratios and hydrogen bond interactions, providing insights for designing high-performance energetic composites.

KW - Disulfide bond

KW - Dynamic networks

KW - HTPB

KW - Hydrogen bond

KW - Self-healing

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105027672489

U2 - 10.1016/j.enmf.2026.01.007

DO - 10.1016/j.enmf.2026.01.007

M3 - Article

AN - SCOPUS:105027672489

SN - 2666-6472

VL - 7

SP - 31

EP - 38

JO - Energetic Materials Frontiers

JF - Energetic Materials Frontiers

IS - 1

ER -