Tailored Architecture for Enhanced Self-Healing: Visible Light-Responsive Polyacrylates with Dynamic Se–Se Bonds and Fluorinated Surfaces

Abstract

Polyacrylate coatings often suffer from mechanical and hydrolytic damage, which limits their durability due to the inherent nature of free radical polymerization and the negative effects of hydrophilic components on water resistance. In this study, we synthesized a series of visible light self-healing and hydrophobic polyacrylates (DiSe-PMBH) featuring dynamic diselenide bonds in the backbone and fluorinated hydrophobic chains in the side chains. These were prepared through atom transfer radical polymerization and substitution reactions. A custom-made initiator (DiSe-Br), containing dynamic diselenide bonds and bifunctional chain-initiating groups, was synthesized to initiate the polymerization of butyl acrylate, methyl methacrylate, and fluorodecyl acrylate. The resulting polyacrylates demonstrated excellent mechanical properties, self-healing abilities, and recyclability, achieving over 95% healing efficiency under visible light irradiation for 2 h. Additionally, the fluorinated side chains provided strong antifouling and self-cleaning properties. This approach offers a promising method for developing durable, self-healing, and antifouling polyacrylate materials.