Hyperbranched Dynamic Crosslinking Networks Enable Degradable, Reconfigurable, and Multifunctional Epoxy Vitrimer

Abstract Degradation and reprocessing of thermoset polymers have long been intractable challenges to meet a sustainable future. Star strategies via dynamic cross‐linking hydrogen bonds and/or covalent bonds can afford reprocessable thermosets, but often at the cost of properties or even their functi...

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Main Authors: Yuanbo Zhang, Hongxia Yan, Ruizhi Yu, Junshan Yuan, Kaiming Yang, Rui Liu, Yanyun He, Weixu Feng, Wei Tian
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2024-01-01
Series:Advanced Science
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202306350
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author Yuanbo Zhang
Hongxia Yan
Ruizhi Yu
Junshan Yuan
Kaiming Yang
Rui Liu
Yanyun He
Weixu Feng
Wei Tian
author_facet Yuanbo Zhang
Hongxia Yan
Ruizhi Yu
Junshan Yuan
Kaiming Yang
Rui Liu
Yanyun He
Weixu Feng
Wei Tian
author_sort Yuanbo Zhang
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Degradation and reprocessing of thermoset polymers have long been intractable challenges to meet a sustainable future. Star strategies via dynamic cross‐linking hydrogen bonds and/or covalent bonds can afford reprocessable thermosets, but often at the cost of properties or even their functions. Herein, a simple strategy coined as hyperbranched dynamic crosslinking networks (HDCNs) toward in‐practice engineering a petroleum‐based epoxy thermoset into degradable, reconfigurable, and multifunctional vitrimer is provided. The special characteristics of HDCNs involve spatially topological crosslinks for solvent adaption and multi‐dynamic linkages for reversible behaviors. The resulting vitrimer displays mild room‐temperature degradation to dimethylacetamide and can realize the cycling of carbon fiber and epoxy powder from composite. Besides, they have supra toughness and high flexural modulus, high transparency as well as fire‐retardancy surpassing their original thermoset. Notably, it is noted in a chance‐following that ethanol molecule can induce the reconstruction of vitrimer network by ester‐exchange, converting a stiff vitrimer into elastomeric feature, and such material records an ultrahigh modulus (5.45 GPa) at −150 °C for their ultralow‐temperature condition uses. This is shaping up to be a potentially sustainable advanced material to address the post‐consumer thermoset waste, and also provide a newly crosslinked mode for the designs of high‐performance polymer.
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spelling doaj.art-3ceec233b8da4e7f953c2018bd9503472024-01-13T04:23:06ZengWileyAdvanced Science2198-38442024-01-01112n/an/a10.1002/advs.202306350Hyperbranched Dynamic Crosslinking Networks Enable Degradable, Reconfigurable, and Multifunctional Epoxy VitrimerYuanbo Zhang0Hongxia Yan1Ruizhi Yu2Junshan Yuan3Kaiming Yang4Rui Liu5Yanyun He6Weixu Feng7Wei Tian8Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Science and Technology Xi'an Key Laboratory of Hybrid Luminescent Materials and Photonic Device School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Northwestern Polytechnical University Xi'an 710129 ChinaShaanxi Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Science and Technology Xi'an Key Laboratory of Hybrid Luminescent Materials and Photonic Device School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Northwestern Polytechnical University Xi'an 710129 ChinaShaanxi Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Science and Technology Xi'an Key Laboratory of Hybrid Luminescent Materials and Photonic Device School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Northwestern Polytechnical University Xi'an 710129 ChinaShaanxi Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Science and Technology Xi'an Key Laboratory of Hybrid Luminescent Materials and Photonic Device School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Northwestern Polytechnical University Xi'an 710129 ChinaShaanxi Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Science and Technology Xi'an Key Laboratory of Hybrid Luminescent Materials and Photonic Device School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Northwestern Polytechnical University Xi'an 710129 ChinaShaanxi Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Science and Technology Xi'an Key Laboratory of Hybrid Luminescent Materials and Photonic Device School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Northwestern Polytechnical University Xi'an 710129 ChinaShaanxi Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Science and Technology Xi'an Key Laboratory of Hybrid Luminescent Materials and Photonic Device School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Northwestern Polytechnical University Xi'an 710129 ChinaShaanxi Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Science and Technology Xi'an Key Laboratory of Hybrid Luminescent Materials and Photonic Device School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Northwestern Polytechnical University Xi'an 710129 ChinaShaanxi Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Science and Technology Xi'an Key Laboratory of Hybrid Luminescent Materials and Photonic Device School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Northwestern Polytechnical University Xi'an 710129 ChinaAbstract Degradation and reprocessing of thermoset polymers have long been intractable challenges to meet a sustainable future. Star strategies via dynamic cross‐linking hydrogen bonds and/or covalent bonds can afford reprocessable thermosets, but often at the cost of properties or even their functions. Herein, a simple strategy coined as hyperbranched dynamic crosslinking networks (HDCNs) toward in‐practice engineering a petroleum‐based epoxy thermoset into degradable, reconfigurable, and multifunctional vitrimer is provided. The special characteristics of HDCNs involve spatially topological crosslinks for solvent adaption and multi‐dynamic linkages for reversible behaviors. The resulting vitrimer displays mild room‐temperature degradation to dimethylacetamide and can realize the cycling of carbon fiber and epoxy powder from composite. Besides, they have supra toughness and high flexural modulus, high transparency as well as fire‐retardancy surpassing their original thermoset. Notably, it is noted in a chance‐following that ethanol molecule can induce the reconstruction of vitrimer network by ester‐exchange, converting a stiff vitrimer into elastomeric feature, and such material records an ultrahigh modulus (5.45 GPa) at −150 °C for their ultralow‐temperature condition uses. This is shaping up to be a potentially sustainable advanced material to address the post‐consumer thermoset waste, and also provide a newly crosslinked mode for the designs of high‐performance polymer.https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202306350degradation and cycling of thermosetsdynamic crosslinking networkshyperbranched polymersvitrimers
spellingShingle Yuanbo Zhang
Hongxia Yan
Ruizhi Yu
Junshan Yuan
Kaiming Yang
Rui Liu
Yanyun He
Weixu Feng
Wei Tian
Hyperbranched Dynamic Crosslinking Networks Enable Degradable, Reconfigurable, and Multifunctional Epoxy Vitrimer
Advanced Science
degradation and cycling of thermosets
dynamic crosslinking networks
hyperbranched polymers
vitrimers
title Hyperbranched Dynamic Crosslinking Networks Enable Degradable, Reconfigurable, and Multifunctional Epoxy Vitrimer
title_full Hyperbranched Dynamic Crosslinking Networks Enable Degradable, Reconfigurable, and Multifunctional Epoxy Vitrimer
title_fullStr Hyperbranched Dynamic Crosslinking Networks Enable Degradable, Reconfigurable, and Multifunctional Epoxy Vitrimer
title_full_unstemmed Hyperbranched Dynamic Crosslinking Networks Enable Degradable, Reconfigurable, and Multifunctional Epoxy Vitrimer
title_short Hyperbranched Dynamic Crosslinking Networks Enable Degradable, Reconfigurable, and Multifunctional Epoxy Vitrimer
title_sort hyperbranched dynamic crosslinking networks enable degradable reconfigurable and multifunctional epoxy vitrimer
topic degradation and cycling of thermosets
dynamic crosslinking networks
hyperbranched polymers
vitrimers
url https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202306350
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