Development of a Multistimulus Response Silicon-Bridged/Fe₃O₄ Epoxy Vitrimer: Controllable Welding, Crack Healing, and Shape Memory

Abstract

The emergence of vitrimer materials containing dynamic bonds provides a solution to the dilemma that traditional epoxy resins are difficult to recycle and reuse. However, the development of vitrimer materials with multiple functions, especially simultaneous multistimulus response properties, is still challenging. In this work, Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticle was introduced into epoxy vitrimer (ETOD-SA), containing Si−O segments and dynamic reversible ester bonds, to prepare a multistimulus response silicon-bridged/Fe 3 O 4 epoxy vitrimer (ETOD-SA-Fe 3 O 4 ) with controllable welding, crack-healing, and shape memory properties. The optimized ETOD-SA-Fe 3 O 4 exhibited superior flame retardancy (char residue was increased by 194.5%, while pHRR decreased by 31.8%), self-healing ability (8 min for a 48 μm scratch), shape memory, and mechanical properties. More surprisingly, ETOD-SA-Fe 3 O 4 was simultaneously responsive to magnetic field, near-infrared, and temperature, allowing crack healing of samples as well as controllable noncontact welding through the combination of near-infrared and magnet or heating and magnet. Therefore, these excellent properties could improve the durability and extend the service life of the epoxy vitrimer material, which will further expand its applications.

Rapid Photothermal Healing of Vitrimer Nanocomposites Activated by Gold-Nanoparticle-Coated Graphene Nanoplatelets

“…This increased healing response demonstrates a synergistic effect from combining both the absorbance of GNPls and the plasmonic resonance effect of the AuNPs. We should note that these ultrafast healing times outperform previous literature. ,− …”

Oligosiloxane-Based Epoxy Vitrimers: Adaptable Thermosetting Networks with Dual Dynamic Bonds

“…These approaches have proved useful in both elastomers and thermosets. , Recently, there has been work on direct silyl ether metathesis using catalysts, Bronsted or Lewis acids, or the introduction of free hydroxyls into the network. , Du Prez and co-workers have developed siloxane-containing vitrimers with very fast dynamics (below 10 s) in the presence of basic catalysts. , Due to the flexibility of the siloxane units, the prepared resins exhibited low viscosities, which offers significant advantages for fiber-reinforced polymer composite manufacturing. Additionally, it has been shown that the incorporation of siloxane groups into reprocessable networks improves the dielectric properties and ductility. , …”