09 Sep High-performance epoxy vitrimer composites based on double dynamic covalent bonds Back to Sci. Publications

ABSTRACT

Thermoset epoxy resin materials can be endowed with unique dynamic properties by introducing dynamic covalent bonds (DCB) into the cross-link network of the epoxy resin. However, it remains a challenge to obtain epoxy materials with high mechanical, thermodynamic, and dynamic properties. In this work, a series of epoxy vitrimers with double DCBs were prepared by using a curing agent with imine bonds (PAMD) and an epoxy resin with disulfide bonds (BGPDS). PAMD and BGPDS are cross-linked and form a uniform aromatic framework that ensures the mechanical and thermal properties of the material. High-density DCBs ensure the dynamic performance of epoxy vitrimer. In addition, tetra-needle-like ZnO whiskers (T-ZnOw) were added to the epoxy vitrimer for further reinforcement. The results demonstrated that epoxy vitrimer composites with T-ZnOw content of 10 wt.% exhibit high tensile strength, high T_g, high healing efficiency, shape reconfiguration, reprocessing and rapid degradation. The degradation products can recycle and produce new epoxy vitrimer, leading to a closed-loop recycling which reduced the environmental pollution and resource waste.

KEYWORDS

degradation, epoxy vitrimer, reprocessing, self-healing, tensile strength

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