Self-healing method for polymers using defect-healed reduced graphene oxide heaters

Self-healing method for polymers based on ALD platinum-healed graphene transparent heaters

This technology heals surface defects in thermally reduced graphene oxide (RGO)—produced via chemical exfoliation—by depositing metal nanoparticles using atomic layer deposition (ALD). The resulting RGO transparent heater is then placed in contact with a self-healing polymer, where applying voltage restores any damage.

While graphene produced through chemical exfoliation is advantageous for mass production and cost-efficiency, it often remains incompletely reduced and retains numerous defects, leading to poor electrical reliability. Existing methods to fill these defects consume excessive metal precursors and struggle to achieve uniform healing, limiting the use of graphene as a practical heating element.

This technology deposits metal only onto defect sites in the form of nanoparticles rather than a thin film, minimizing precursor usage while simultaneously enhancing RGO reduction and material properties. It restores polymer damage through low-temperature heating at 50–60°C. Applicable to automotive glass, smart clothing, and protective layers for flexible electronics, it allows users to easily repair scratches or cracks simply by applying voltage.

‍

‍

Key Features:

• Thermally reducing chemically exfoliated graphene oxide to produce reduced graphene oxide (RGO)
• Uniformly healing defect sites by depositing metals, such as platinum, onto the RGO surface in nanoparticle form using atomic layer deposition
• Fabricating a transparent RGO heater by forming metal electrodes, such as copper, at both ends of the defect-healed RGO substrate
• Self-healing polymer damage by placing the RGO heater in direct contact with the polymer and applying voltage to the electrodes

‍

This invention was developed with support from the Ministry of Education for the development of functional electronic fibers using atomic layer deposition.

‍