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Alegría A, Arbe A, Colmenero J, Bhaumik S, Ntetsikas K, Hadjichristidis N. Segmental and Chain Dynamics of Polyisoprene-Based Model Vitrimers. Macromolecules 2024; 57:5639-5647. [PMID: 38948182 PMCID: PMC11210400 DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.3c02558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2023] [Revised: 05/13/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024]
Abstract
Polymer vitrimers are a new class of materials that combine the advantages of thermoplastics and thermosets. This is due to the dynamic nature of the chemical bonds linking different chains. However, how this property affects the polymer dynamics at different length scales is still an open question. Here, we investigate the dynamics of model vitrimers based on well-defined polyisoprene (PI) chains using broadband dielectric spectroscopy. In this way, we study the polymer dynamics from the segmental to the whole chain scale, taking advantage of the fact that PI belongs to the class of molecules that exhibit a net dipole moment associated with the end-to-end vector. Three distinct relaxation phenomena are identified. The fastest relaxation is attributed to the segmental PI dynamics with a small influence of the cross-linking. An intermediate relaxation attributed to the dipolar character of the cross-linker is also observed. The slower identified relaxation component, corresponding to limited fluctuations of the end-to-end PI chains, is found to be determined by the dynamics of the clusters formed by the cross-linkers with an average time scale orders of magnitude faster than that of the terminal relaxation as inferred from the viscous flow.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angel Alegría
- Departamento
de Polímeros y Materiales Avanzados: Física, Química y Tecnología (UPV/EHU), Paseo Manuel de Lardizabal 3, 20018 San Sebastián, Spain
- Centro
de Física de Materiales (CSIC, UPV/EHU) and Materials Physics
Center MPC, Paseo Manuel de Lardizabal 5, E-20018 San Sebastián, Spain
| | - Arantxa Arbe
- Centro
de Física de Materiales (CSIC, UPV/EHU) and Materials Physics
Center MPC, Paseo Manuel de Lardizabal 5, E-20018 San Sebastián, Spain
| | - Juan Colmenero
- Departamento
de Polímeros y Materiales Avanzados: Física, Química y Tecnología (UPV/EHU), Paseo Manuel de Lardizabal 3, 20018 San Sebastián, Spain
- Centro
de Física de Materiales (CSIC, UPV/EHU) and Materials Physics
Center MPC, Paseo Manuel de Lardizabal 5, E-20018 San Sebastián, Spain
- Donostia
International Physics Center (DIPC), Paseo
Manuel de Lardizabal 4, E-20018 San Sebastián, Spain
| | - Saibal Bhaumik
- Polymer
Synthesis Laboratory, Chemistry Program, KAUST Catalysis Center, Physical
Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah
University of Science and Technology (KAUST), 23955 Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Konstantinos Ntetsikas
- Polymer
Synthesis Laboratory, Chemistry Program, KAUST Catalysis Center, Physical
Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah
University of Science and Technology (KAUST), 23955 Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Nikos Hadjichristidis
- Polymer
Synthesis Laboratory, Chemistry Program, KAUST Catalysis Center, Physical
Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah
University of Science and Technology (KAUST), 23955 Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
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Karatrantos AV, Couture O, Hesse C, Schmidt DF. Molecular Simulation of Covalent Adaptable Networks and Vitrimers: A Review. Polymers (Basel) 2024; 16:1373. [PMID: 38794566 PMCID: PMC11125108 DOI: 10.3390/polym16101373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2024] [Revised: 04/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Covalent adaptable networks and vitrimers are novel polymers with dynamic reversible bond exchange reactions for crosslinks, enabling them to modulate their properties between those of thermoplastics and thermosets. They have been gathering interest as materials for their recycling and self-healing properties. In this review, we discuss different molecular simulation efforts that have been used over the last decade to investigate and understand the nanoscale and molecular behaviors of covalent adaptable networks and vitrimers. In particular, molecular dynamics, Monte Carlo, and a hybrid of molecular dynamics and Monte Carlo approaches have been used to model the dynamic bond exchange reaction, which is the main mechanism of interest since it controls both the mechanical and rheological behaviors. The molecular simulation techniques presented yield sufficient results to investigate the structure and dynamics as well as the mechanical and rheological responses of such dynamic networks. The benefits of each method have been highlighted. The use of other tools such as theoretical models and machine learning has been included. We noticed, amongst the most prominent results, that stress relaxes as the bond exchange reaction happens, and that at temperatures higher than the glass transition temperature, the self-healing properties are better since more bond BERs are observed. The lifetime of dynamic covalent crosslinks follows, at moderate to high temperatures, an Arrhenius-like temperature dependence. We note the modeling of certain properties like the melt viscosity with glass transition temperature and the topology freezing transition temperature according to a behavior ruled by either the Williams-Landel-Ferry equation or the Arrhenius equation. Discrepancies between the behavior in dissociative and associative covalent adaptable networks are discussed. We conclude by stating which material parameters and atomistic factors, at the nanoscale, have not yet been taken into account and are lacking in the current literature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Argyrios V. Karatrantos
- Materials Research and Technology, Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology, 5, Avenue des Hauts-Fourneaux, L-4362 Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg; (O.C.); (C.H.); (D.F.S.)
| | - Olivier Couture
- Materials Research and Technology, Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology, 5, Avenue des Hauts-Fourneaux, L-4362 Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg; (O.C.); (C.H.); (D.F.S.)
- University of Luxembourg, 2, Avenue de l’Université, L-4365 Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Channya Hesse
- Materials Research and Technology, Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology, 5, Avenue des Hauts-Fourneaux, L-4362 Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg; (O.C.); (C.H.); (D.F.S.)
- University of Luxembourg, 2, Avenue de l’Université, L-4365 Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Daniel F. Schmidt
- Materials Research and Technology, Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology, 5, Avenue des Hauts-Fourneaux, L-4362 Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg; (O.C.); (C.H.); (D.F.S.)
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Arbe A, Alegría A, Colmenero J, Bhaumik S, Ntetsikas K, Hadjichristidis N. Microscopic Evidence for the Topological Transition in Model Vitrimers. ACS Macro Lett 2023; 12:1595-1601. [PMID: 37947419 PMCID: PMC10666534 DOI: 10.1021/acsmacrolett.3c00586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 10/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
In addition to the glass transition, vitrimers undergo a topological transition from viscoelastic liquid to viscoelastic solid behavior when the network rearrangements facilitated by dynamic bond exchange reactions freeze. The microscopic observation of this transition is elusive. Model polyisoprene vitrimers based on imine dynamic covalent bonds were synthesized by reaction of α,ω-dialdehyde-functionalized polyisoprenes and a tris(2-aminoethyl)amine. In these dynamic networks nanophase separation of polymer and reactive groups leads to the emergence of a relevant length scale characteristic for the network structure. We exploited the scattering sensitivity to structural features at different length scales to determine how dynamical and topological arrests affect correlations at segmental and network levels. Chains expand obeying the same expansion coefficient throughout the entire viscoelastic region, i.e., both in the elastomeric regime and in the liquid regime. The onset of liquid-like behavior is only apparent at the mesoscale, where the scattering reveals the reorganization of the network triggered by bond exchange events. The such determined "microscopic" topological transition temperature is compared with the outcome of "conventional" methods, namely viscosimetry and differential scanning calorimetry. We show that using proper thermal (aging-like) protocols, this transition is also nicely revealed by the latter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arantxa Arbe
- Centro
de Física de Materiales (CFM) (CSIC−UPV/EHU) −
Materials Physics Center (MPC), Paseo Manuel de Lardizabal 5, 20018 San Sebastián, Spain
| | - Angel Alegría
- Centro
de Física de Materiales (CFM) (CSIC−UPV/EHU) −
Materials Physics Center (MPC), Paseo Manuel de Lardizabal 5, 20018 San Sebastián, Spain
- Departamento
de Polímeros y Materiales Avanzados: Física, Química
y Tecnología (UPV/EHU), Apartado 1072, 20018 San Sebastián, Spain
| | - Juan Colmenero
- Centro
de Física de Materiales (CFM) (CSIC−UPV/EHU) −
Materials Physics Center (MPC), Paseo Manuel de Lardizabal 5, 20018 San Sebastián, Spain
- Departamento
de Polímeros y Materiales Avanzados: Física, Química
y Tecnología (UPV/EHU), Apartado 1072, 20018 San Sebastián, Spain
- Donostia
International Physics Center (DIPC), Paseo Manuel de Lardizabal 4, 20018 San Sebastián, Spain
| | - Saibal Bhaumik
- Polymer
Synthesis Laboratory, Chemistry Program, Physical Science and Engineering
Division, KAUST Catalysis Center, King Abdullah
University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, 23955, Saudi Arabia
| | - Konstantinos Ntetsikas
- Polymer
Synthesis Laboratory, Chemistry Program, Physical Science and Engineering
Division, KAUST Catalysis Center, King Abdullah
University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, 23955, Saudi Arabia
| | - Nikos Hadjichristidis
- Polymer
Synthesis Laboratory, Chemistry Program, Physical Science and Engineering
Division, KAUST Catalysis Center, King Abdullah
University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, 23955, Saudi Arabia
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Schenk V, D'Elia R, Olivier P, Labastie K, Destarac M, Guerre M. Exploring the Limits of High- Tg Epoxy Vitrimers Produced through Resin-Transfer Molding. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2023; 15:46357-46367. [PMID: 37738359 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c10007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/24/2023]
Abstract
Over the past few years, scientists have developed new ways to overcome the recycling issues of conventional thermosets with the introduction of associative covalent adaptable networks (i.e., vitrimers) in polymer materials. Even though various end-use vitrimers have already been reported, just a few of them have targeted high-performance industrial applications. Herein, we develop a promising high-performance epoxy vitrimer based on a commercially available resin widely used in aeronautics with the highest glass transition temperature (Tg) of 233 °C ever reported for a vitrimer. A complete study of its physicochemical properties and cure kinetics was conducted, enabling the construction of the first time-temperature-transformation (TTT) diagram reported in the literature. This diagram allows a full determination of the processing and curing parameters leading to the manufacturing of vitrimer samples by the resin-transfer molding (RTM) process. The reshapability and limits therefrom of this high-Tg vitrimer were evaluated by three successful thermoforming cycles without degradation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent Schenk
- IRT Saint Exupéry, bâtiment B612 3 rue Tarfaya, 31405 Toulouse Cedex 4, France
- ICA, Université de Toulouse, UT3, CNRS UMR 5312, Espace C. Ader, 3 Rue Caroline Aigle, 3140 Toulouse, France
- Laboratoire des IMRCP, Université de Toulouse, CNRS UMR 5623, Université Paul Sabatier, 118 route de Narbonne, 31062 Toulouse Cedex 9, France
| | - Raffaele D'Elia
- ICA, Université de Toulouse, UT3, CNRS UMR 5312, Espace C. Ader, 3 Rue Caroline Aigle, 3140 Toulouse, France
| | - Philippe Olivier
- ICA, Université de Toulouse, UT3, CNRS UMR 5312, Espace C. Ader, 3 Rue Caroline Aigle, 3140 Toulouse, France
| | - Karine Labastie
- IRT Saint Exupéry, bâtiment B612 3 rue Tarfaya, 31405 Toulouse Cedex 4, France
| | - Mathias Destarac
- IRT Saint Exupéry, bâtiment B612 3 rue Tarfaya, 31405 Toulouse Cedex 4, France
- Laboratoire des IMRCP, Université de Toulouse, CNRS UMR 5623, Université Paul Sabatier, 118 route de Narbonne, 31062 Toulouse Cedex 9, France
| | - Marc Guerre
- Laboratoire des IMRCP, Université de Toulouse, CNRS UMR 5623, Université Paul Sabatier, 118 route de Narbonne, 31062 Toulouse Cedex 9, France
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Sun J, Liang M, Yin L, Rivers G, Hu G, Pan Q, Zhao B. Interfacial Compatibility of Core-Shell Cellulose Nanocrystals for Improving Dynamic Covalent Adaptable Networks' Fracture Resistance in Nanohybrid Vitrimer Composites. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2023; 15:39786-39796. [PMID: 37578445 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c05041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/15/2023]
Abstract
The development of polymeric nanocomposites with dynamic covalent adaptable networks and biobased nanomaterials has been a promising approach toward sustainable advanced materials, enabling reprogramming and recycling capabilities. Herein, a core-shell nanohybrid of functionalized cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) is explored to provide crucial interfacial compatibility for improving the covalent adaptable networks of epoxy-thiol vitrimers in fracture resistance. The poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) shells grafted from CNC surfaces can be cross-linked with the covalent adaptable networks via a hot-pressing transesterification process. According to the additive concentration and annealing temperature, the stress relaxation behavior of nanohybrid vitrimer composites can be effectively regulated by the core-shell PCL-grafted CNC (CNC-PCL) nanohybrids from a dispersed to cross-linked interaction. The addition of 15 wt % of the core-shell CNC-PCLs exhibits the reinforced improvement of nanohybrid vitrimer composites in the average Young's modulus of 2.5×, fracture stress of 5.4×, and fracture strain of 2.0×. The research findings might have profound implications for developing synergistic interfacial compatibility between dynamic vitrimer networks and functional nanoparticles for advanced polymeric nanocomposites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Sun
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, Centre for Bioengineering and Biotechnology, Institute for Polymer Research, University of Waterloo, Waterloo N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Mingrui Liang
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, Centre for Bioengineering and Biotechnology, Institute for Polymer Research, University of Waterloo, Waterloo N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Lu Yin
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, Centre for Bioengineering and Biotechnology, Institute for Polymer Research, University of Waterloo, Waterloo N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Geoffrey Rivers
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, Centre for Bioengineering and Biotechnology, Institute for Polymer Research, University of Waterloo, Waterloo N2L 3G1, Canada
- Faculty of Engineering, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, United Kingdom
| | - Guangwei Hu
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, Centre for Bioengineering and Biotechnology, Institute for Polymer Research, University of Waterloo, Waterloo N2L 3G1, Canada
- College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, P. R. China
| | - Qinmin Pan
- College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, P. R. China
| | - Boxin Zhao
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, Centre for Bioengineering and Biotechnology, Institute for Polymer Research, University of Waterloo, Waterloo N2L 3G1, Canada
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Yu P, Wang H, Li T, Wang G, Jia Z, Dong X, Xu Y, Ma Q, Zhang D, Ding H, Yu B. Mechanically Robust, Recyclable, and Self-Healing Polyimine Networks. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2023; 10:e2300958. [PMID: 37088727 PMCID: PMC10323645 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202300958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2023] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
To achieve energy saving and emission reduction goals, recyclable and healable thermoset materials are highly attractive. Polymer copolymerization has been proven to be a critical strategy for preparing high-performance polymeric materials. However, it remains a huge challenge to develop high-performance recyclable and healable thermoset materials. Here, polyimine dynamic networks based on two monomers with bulky pendant groups, which not only displayed mechanical properties higher than the strong and tough polymers, e.g., polycarbonate, but also excellent self-repairing capability and recyclability as thermosets are developed. Owing to the stability of conjugation effect by aromatic benzene rings, the final polyimine networks are far more stable than the reported counterparts, exhibiting excellent hydrolysis resistance under both alkaline condition and most organic solvents. These polyimine materials with conjugation structure can be completely depolymerized into monomers recovery in an acidic aqueous solution at ambient temperature. Resulting from the bulky pendant units, this method allows the exchange reactions of conjugation polyimine vitrimer easily within minutes for self-healing function. Moreover, the introduction of trifluoromethyl diphenoxybenzene backbones significantly increases tensile properties of polyimine materials. This work provides an effective strategy for fabricating high-performance polymer materials with multiple functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping Yu
- School of Environmental and Chemical EngineeringJiangsu Key Laboratory of Function Control Technology for Advanced MaterialsJiangsu Ocean UniversityLianyungangJiangsu222005P. R. China
- Jiangsu Marine Resources Development InstituteLianyungangJiangsu222005P. R. China
| | - Haiyue Wang
- School of Environmental and Chemical EngineeringJiangsu Key Laboratory of Function Control Technology for Advanced MaterialsJiangsu Ocean UniversityLianyungangJiangsu222005P. R. China
| | - Ting Li
- Shanghai Cedar Composites Technology Co., Ltd201306ShanghaiP. R. China
| | - Guimei Wang
- School of Environmental and Chemical EngineeringJiangsu Key Laboratory of Function Control Technology for Advanced MaterialsJiangsu Ocean UniversityLianyungangJiangsu222005P. R. China
| | - Zichen Jia
- School of Environmental and Chemical EngineeringJiangsu Key Laboratory of Function Control Technology for Advanced MaterialsJiangsu Ocean UniversityLianyungangJiangsu222005P. R. China
| | - Xinyu Dong
- School of Environmental and Chemical EngineeringJiangsu Key Laboratory of Function Control Technology for Advanced MaterialsJiangsu Ocean UniversityLianyungangJiangsu222005P. R. China
| | - Yang Xu
- School of Environmental and Chemical EngineeringJiangsu Key Laboratory of Function Control Technology for Advanced MaterialsJiangsu Ocean UniversityLianyungangJiangsu222005P. R. China
| | - Qilin Ma
- School of Environmental and Chemical EngineeringJiangsu Key Laboratory of Function Control Technology for Advanced MaterialsJiangsu Ocean UniversityLianyungangJiangsu222005P. R. China
| | - Dongen Zhang
- School of Environmental and Chemical EngineeringJiangsu Key Laboratory of Function Control Technology for Advanced MaterialsJiangsu Ocean UniversityLianyungangJiangsu222005P. R. China
| | - Hongliang Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Fire ScienceUniversity of Science and Technology of ChinaHefeiAnhui230026P. R. China
| | - Bin Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Fire ScienceUniversity of Science and Technology of ChinaHefeiAnhui230026P. R. China
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