Thermally Latent Bases in Dynamic Covalent Polymer Networks and their Emerging Applications

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleResearchpeer-review

Authors

  • David Reisinger
  • Matthias Udo Kriehuber
  • Daniel Bautista-Anguís
  • Bernhard Rieger

External Organisational units

  • Polymer Competence Center Leoben GmbH
  • Heinz Maier-Leibnitz Zentrum (MLZ), Technische Universität München

Abstract

A novel strategy allowing a temporal control of dynamic bond exchange in covalently cross-linked polymer networks via latent transesterification catalysts is introduced. Obtained by a straight-forward air- and water-tolerant synthesis, the latent catalyst is designed for an irreversible temperature-mediated release of a strong organic base. Its long-term inactivity at temperatures below 50°C provides the unique opportunity to equip dynamic covalent networks with creep resistance and high bond exchange rates, once activated. The presented thermally latent base catalyst is conveniently introducible in readily available building blocks and, as proof of concept, applied in a radically polymerized thiol-ene network. Light-mediated curing is used for 3D printing functional objects on which the possibility of spatially controlled reshaping and welding based on dynamic transesterification are illustrated. Since the catalyst is thermally activated, limitations regarding sample geometry and optical transparency do not apply, which facilitates a transfer to well-established industrial technologies. Consequently, fiber-reinforced and highly filled magneto-active thiol-ene polymer composites are fabricated by a thermal curing approach. The on-demand activation of dynamic transesterification is demonstrated by (magneto-assisted) reshaping experiments, highlighting a wide range of potential future applications offered by the presented concept.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Article number2300830
Number of pages27
JournalAdvanced materials
Volume35.2023
Issue number24
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 14 Mar 2023