Interpenetrating covalent adaptable networks with enhanced mechanical properties and facile reprocessability and recyclability. Issue 28 (28th June 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lei, Yufeng; Zhang, Anqiang; Lin, Yaling
• Is Part Of: Polymer chemistry. Volume 12:Issue 28(2021)
• Page Start: 4052
• Page End: 4062
• Publication Date: 2021-06-28
• Subjects: Polymers -- Periodicals; Macromolecules -- Periodicals; Polymerization -- Periodicals; 547.705
• DOI: 10.1039/d1py00623a
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1759-9954

Abstract

Abstract : An interpenetrating covalent adaptable network is facilely prepared, reprocessed and recycled by exploiting covalent reversible chemistry of imines and boronic-esters. Abstract : Polymer blending has always been a critical strategy for preparing high-performance materials. By creating an interpenetrating polymer network (IPN), the incompatibility of different polymers could be overcome and a favorable bicontinuous phase structure could be achieved. Recently, the concept of covalent adaptable networks (CANs) based on reversible covalent bonds has brought many opportunities for developing and engineering sustainable high-performance polymer blends. Herein, we utilized the reversible hydrolysis/condensation of imines and boronic-esters to construct an interpenetrating covalent adaptable network (IPCAN) with a highly uniform phase structure from two immiscible single CANs, and to establish a closed loop between recycling single networks and regenerating IPCANs as well. The resultant IPCANs show not only a remarkable improvement in mechanical performance, but also a high restoration efficiency during multiple reprocessing. The outcomes of this work may provide new ideas for developing more sustainable high-performance polymer blends and IPNs with covalent reversible bonds.