This study examined how changing the water-glycerol solvent composition affects the self-healing and viscoelastic properties of self-healing gels, which have host-guest inclusion complexes as reversible crosslinks. Increasing glycerol concentration in the mixture solvent reduced hydrophobic interactions between β-cyclodextrin and adamantane, lowering the association constant of host-guest inclusion complexes. The weakened hydrophobic interaction hinders complex recombination and enhances the mobility of the network chains. Consequently, the enhancement of mobility improved the healing ratio because the interfacial diffusion of the chains was promoted at the repair interfaces.
- Kenji Yamaoka
- Ryohei Ikura
- Yoshinori Takashima
