1
|
Zhao Z, Cao Z, Wu Z, Du W, Meng X, Chen H, Wu Y, Jiang L, Liu M. Bicontinuous vitrimer heterogels with wide-span switchable stiffness-gated iontronic coordination. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadl2737. [PMID: 38457508 PMCID: PMC10923496 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adl2737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 03/10/2024]
Abstract
Currently, it remains challenging to balance intrinsic stiffness with programmability in most vitrimers. Simultaneously, coordinating materials with gel-like iontronic properties for intrinsic ion transmission while maintaining vitrimer programmable features remains underexplored. Here, we introduce a phase-engineering strategy to fabricate bicontinuous vitrimer heterogel (VHG) materials. Such VHGs exhibited high mechanical strength, with an elastic modulus of up to 116 MPa, a high strain performance exceeding 1000%, and a switchable stiffness ratio surpassing 5 × 103. Moreover, highly programmable reprocessing and shape memory morphing were realized owing to the ion liquid-enhanced VHG network reconfiguration. Derived from the ion transmission pathway in the ILgel, which responded to the wide-span switchable mechanics, the VHG iontronics had a unique bidirectional stiffness-gated piezoresistivity, coordinating both positive and negative piezoresistive properties. Our findings indicate that the VHG system can act as a foundational material in various promising applications, including smart sensors, soft machines, and bioelectronics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ziguang Zhao
- School of Future Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Inspired Materials and Interfacial Science, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, P. R. China
| | - Ziquan Cao
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Inspired Materials and Interfacial Science, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, P. R. China
| | - Zhixin Wu
- School of Future Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, P. R. China
| | - Wenxin Du
- School of Mechanical Engineering and Automation, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Xue Meng
- School of Future Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Inspired Materials and Interfacial Science, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, P. R. China
| | - Huawei Chen
- School of Mechanical Engineering and Automation, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Yuchen Wu
- School of Future Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Inspired Materials and Interfacial Science, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, P. R. China
| | - Lei Jiang
- School of Future Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Inspired Materials and Interfacial Science, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, P. R. China
| | - Mingjie Liu
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Inspired Smart Interfacial, Science and Technology of Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, P.R. China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Neidhart EK, Hua M, Peng Z, Kearney LT, Bhat V, Vashahi F, Alexanian EJ, Sheiko SS, Wang C, Helms BA, Leibfarth FA. C-H Functionalization of Polyolefins to Access Reprocessable Polyolefin Thermosets. J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145:27450-27458. [PMID: 38079611 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c08682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
Upcycling plastic waste into reprocessable materials with performance-advantaged properties would contribute to the development of a circular plastics economy. Here, we modify branched polyolefins and postconsumer polyethylene through a versatile C-H functionalization approach using thiosulfonates as a privileged radical group transfer functionality. Cross-linking the functionalized polyolefins with polytopic amines provided dynamically cross-linked polyolefin networks enabled by associative bond exchange of diketoenamine functionality. A combination of resonant soft X-ray scattering and grazing incidence X-ray scattering revealed hierarchical phase morphology in which diketoenamine-rich microdomains phase-separate within amorphous regions between polyolefin crystallites. The combination of dynamic covalent cross-links and microphase separation results in useful and improved mechanical properties, including a ∼4.5-fold increase in toughness, a reduction in creep deformation at temperatures relevant to use, and high-temperature structural stability compared to the parent polyolefin. The dynamic nature of diketoenamine cross-links provides stress relaxation at elevated temperatures, which enabled iterative reprocessing of the dynamic covalent polymer network with little cycle-to-cycle property fade. The ability to convert polyolefin waste into a reprocessable thermoformable material with attractive thermomechanical properties provides additional optionality for upcycling to enable future circularity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eliza K Neidhart
- Department of Chemistry, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27514, United States
| | - Mutian Hua
- The Molecular Foundry, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- Materials Science Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Zhengxing Peng
- Advanced Light Source, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Logan T Kearney
- Chemical Science Division, Oak Ridge National Lab, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37830, United States
| | - Vittal Bhat
- Department of Chemistry, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27514, United States
| | - Foad Vashahi
- Department of Chemistry, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27514, United States
| | - Erik J Alexanian
- Department of Chemistry, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27514, United States
| | - Sergei S Sheiko
- Department of Chemistry, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27514, United States
| | - Cheng Wang
- Advanced Light Source, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Brett A Helms
- The Molecular Foundry, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- Materials Science Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Frank A Leibfarth
- Department of Chemistry, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27514, United States
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Yan T, Balzer AH, Herbert KM, Epps TH, Korley LTJ. Circularity in polymers: addressing performance and sustainability challenges using dynamic covalent chemistries. Chem Sci 2023; 14:5243-5265. [PMID: 37234906 PMCID: PMC10208058 DOI: 10.1039/d3sc00551h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The circularity of current and future polymeric materials is a major focus of fundamental and applied research, as undesirable end-of-life outcomes and waste accumulation are global problems that impact our society. The recycling or repurposing of thermoplastics and thermosets is an attractive solution to these issues, yet both options are encumbered by poor property retention upon reuse, along with heterogeneities in common waste streams that limit property optimization. Dynamic covalent chemistry, when applied to polymeric materials, enables the targeted design of reversible bonds that can be tailored to specific reprocessing conditions to help address conventional recycling challenges. In this review, we highlight the key features of several dynamic covalent chemistries that can promote closed-loop recyclability and we discuss recent synthetic progress towards incorporating these chemistries into new polymers and existing commodity plastics. Next, we outline how dynamic covalent bonds and polymer network structure influence thermomechanical properties related to application and recyclability, with a focus on predictive physical models that describe network rearrangement. Finally, we examine the potential economic and environmental impacts of dynamic covalent polymeric materials in closed-loop processing using elements derived from techno-economic analysis and life-cycle assessment, including minimum selling prices and greenhouse gas emissions. Throughout each section, we discuss interdisciplinary obstacles that hinder the widespread adoption of dynamic polymers and present opportunities and new directions toward the realization of circularity in polymeric materials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tianwei Yan
- Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware Newark 19716 Delaware USA
- Center for Plastics Innovation (CPI), University of Delaware Newark 19716 Delaware USA
| | - Alex H Balzer
- Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware Newark 19716 Delaware USA
- Center for Plastics Innovation (CPI), University of Delaware Newark 19716 Delaware USA
| | - Katie M Herbert
- Center for Plastics Innovation (CPI), University of Delaware Newark 19716 Delaware USA
| | - Thomas H Epps
- Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware Newark 19716 Delaware USA
- Center for Plastics Innovation (CPI), University of Delaware Newark 19716 Delaware USA
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Delaware Newark 19716 Delaware USA
- Center for Research in Soft matter and Polymers (CRiSP), University of Delaware Newark 19716 Delaware USA
| | - LaShanda T J Korley
- Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware Newark 19716 Delaware USA
- Center for Plastics Innovation (CPI), University of Delaware Newark 19716 Delaware USA
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Delaware Newark 19716 Delaware USA
- Center for Research in Soft matter and Polymers (CRiSP), University of Delaware Newark 19716 Delaware USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Zou C, Wang Q, Si G, Chen C. A co-anchoring strategy for the synthesis of polar bimodal polyethylene. Nat Commun 2023; 14:1442. [PMID: 36922533 PMCID: PMC10017819 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-37152-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Since polar groups can poison the metal centers in catalysts, the incorporation of polar comonomers usually comes at the expense of catalytic activity and polymer molecular weight. In this contribution, we demonstrate polar bimodal polyethylene as a potential solution to this trade-off. The more-polar/more-branched low-molecular-weight fraction provides polarity and processability, while the less-polar/less-branched high-molecular-weight fraction provides mechanical and melt properties. To achieve high miscibility between these two fractions, three synthetic routes are investigated: mixtures of homogeneous catalysts, separately supported heterogeneous catalysts, and a co-anchoring strategy (CAS) to heterogenize different homogeneous catalysts on one solid support. The CAS route is the only viable strategy for the synthesis of polar bimodal polyethylene with good molecular level entanglement and minimal phase separation. This produces polyolefin materials with excellent mechanical properties, surface/dyeing properties, gas barrier properties, as well as extrudability and 3D-printability.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chen Zou
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, CAS Key Laboratory of Soft Matter Chemistry, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, 230026, Hefei, China
| | - Quan Wang
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, CAS Key Laboratory of Soft Matter Chemistry, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, 230026, Hefei, China
| | - Guifu Si
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, CAS Key Laboratory of Soft Matter Chemistry, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, 230026, Hefei, China.
| | - Changle Chen
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, CAS Key Laboratory of Soft Matter Chemistry, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, 230026, Hefei, China.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Zong Y, Wang C, Zhang Y, Jian Z. Polar-Functionalized Polyethylenes Enabled by Palladium-Catalyzed Copolymerization of Ethylene and Butadiene/Bio-Based Alcohol-Derived Monomers. Polymers (Basel) 2023; 15:polym15041044. [PMID: 36850326 PMCID: PMC9967981 DOI: 10.3390/polym15041044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Revised: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Polar-functionalized polyolefins are high-value materials with improved properties. However, their feedstocks generally come from non-renewable fossil products; thus, it requires the development of renewable bio-based monomers to produce functionalized polyolefins. In this contribution, via the Pd-catalyzed telomerization of 1,3-butadiene and three types of bio-based alcohols (furfuryl alcohol, tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol, and solketal), 2,7-octadienyl ether monomers including OC8-FUR, OC8-THF, and OC8-SOL were synthesized and characterized, respectively. The copolymerization of these monomers with ethylene catalyzed by phosphine-sulfonate palladium catalysts was further investigated. Microstructures of the resultant copolymers were analyzed by NMR and ATR-IR spectroscopy, revealing linear structures with incorporations of difunctionalized side chains bearing both allyl ether units and polar cyclic groups. Mechanical property studies exhibited better strain-at-break of these copolymers compared to the non-polar polyethylene, among which the copolymer E-FUR with the incorporation of 0.3 mol% displayed the highest strain-at-break and stress-at-break values of 940% and 35.9 MPa, respectively.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yanlin Zong
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Renmin Street 5625, Changchun 130022, China
- School of Applied Chemistry and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Chaoqun Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Renmin Street 5625, Changchun 130022, China
- School of Applied Chemistry and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Yixin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Renmin Street 5625, Changchun 130022, China
- Correspondence: (Y.Z.); (Z.J.)
| | - Zhongbao Jian
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Renmin Street 5625, Changchun 130022, China
- School of Applied Chemistry and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
- Correspondence: (Y.Z.); (Z.J.)
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Huang J, Ramlawi N, Sheridan GS, Chen C, Ewoldt RH, Braun PV, Evans CM. Dynamic Covalent Bond Exchange Enhances Penetrant Diffusion in Dense Vitrimers. Macromolecules 2023. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.2c02547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Junrou Huang
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois61801, United States
- Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois61801, United States
- Materials Research Laboratory, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois61801United States
| | - Nabil Ramlawi
- Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois61801, United States
- Materials Research Laboratory, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois61801United States
| | - Grant S. Sheridan
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois61801, United States
- Materials Research Laboratory, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois61801United States
| | - Chen Chen
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois61801, United States
- Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois61801, United States
- Materials Research Laboratory, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois61801United States
| | - Randy H. Ewoldt
- Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois61801, United States
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois61801, United States
- Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois61801, United States
- Materials Research Laboratory, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois61801United States
| | - Paul V. Braun
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois61801, United States
- Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois61801, United States
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois61801, United States
- Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois61801, United States
- Materials Research Laboratory, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois61801United States
| | - Christopher M. Evans
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois61801, United States
- Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois61801, United States
- Materials Research Laboratory, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois61801United States
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Bodkhe DV, Chikkali SH. Ti-Iminocarboxylate Catalyzed Polymerization of Ethylene to Highly Crystalline, Disentangled, Ultrahigh Molecular Weight Polyethylene. Eur Polym J 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2022.111725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
|