Polylactic acid bioconjugated with glutathione: Thermosensitive self‐healed networks

Polylactic acid was bioconjugated with glutathione (GSH) in a solvent‐free one step process. Thermo‐reversible networks were first obtained as a consequence of the supramolecular interactions induced by GSH moieties. Then dynamic covalent reactions were added to the networks' synthesis process using dialcohol‐functionalized Diels−Alder (DA) adducts. The main properties of these networks were analyzed in relation with their structures and the proportions of supramolecular and DA reactions. The thermo‐mechanical properties of the obtained transparent materials and their healing efficiency were evaluated by dynamic mechanical spectroscopy and tensile analyses. Crosslinking/de‐crosslinking temperatures varied from 36 to 112°C. The obtained networks showed self‐healing ability without external stimuli.