Educational series: characterizing crosslinked polymer networks

Abstract

Characterization of polymer networks presents unique challenges due to the insolubility of the materials but this also enables characterization by new techniques that take advantage of the bulk network structure....

BiTEMPS methacrylate dynamic covalent cross-linker providing rapid reprocessability and extrudability of covalent adaptable networks: high-yield synthesis with strong selectivity for disulfide linkages

“…2–4 Due to this inherent unrecyclability of thermosets, they typically meet their end-of-life fate in the form of landfilling, incineration, or as devalued filler materials. 5,6 To tackle this issue of unrecyclability, a new class of polymer materials called covalent adaptable networks (CANs) 7–12 was introduced, providing both cross-linked structures at use conditions and malleability owing to their external stimuli-based reversible covalent bonds. 13,14 A range of functional groups, such as esters, 15 silyl ethers, 16,17 siloxanes, 18,19 amides, 20 β-amino esters, 21 and others, 22–28 have been used as reversible or dynamic covalent bonds in CANs.…”