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Insertion of Supramolecular Segments into Covalently Crosslinked Polyurethane Networks towards the Fabrication of Recyclable Elastomers

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Abstract

Thermoset plastics have become one of the most important chemical products in the world. The consequent problem is that although the thermosets possess excellent performance in mechanical strength, they cannot be reprocessed because of the internal permanent network structures. Optimizing the molecular design of thermosets is one of the most feasible ways to improve their recyclability. Here we present a facile and robust strategy to engineer the reprocessability of thermoset polyurethanes without compromising their mechanical toughness and chemical resistance via adding supramolecular additives during the polymer synthesis process. By using a multiple hydrogen bonding moiety as the model supramolecular additive, we demonstrate that the mechanical properties, recyclability, and chemical resistance of the crosslinked polyurethanes can be precisely controlled by adjusting the contents of the supramolecular additive. Systematic studies on the relations between molecular design and material properties are performed, and the optimized polyurethane network with a moderate amount of the supramolecular additive achieves the right balance between the robustness and recyclability. This work provides a cost-effective and practical way to chemically engineer thermoset plastics, aiming to enable the recycling of mechanically tough and chemically stable polymer materials.

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Acknowledgments

This study was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 21975145). The authors acknowledge the assistance of Shandong University Structural Constituent and Physical Property Research Facilities/SDU SC&PP Research Facilities for polymer characterization.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. National Engineering Research Center for Colloidal Materials, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan, 250100, China

    Lu-Ping Wang, Ming-Guang Zhang & Xu Wang

  2. Key Laboratory of Colloid and Interface Chemistry of the Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan, 250100, China

    Jing-Cheng Hao & Xu Wang

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  1. Lu-Ping Wang
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  2. Ming-Guang Zhang
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  3. Jing-Cheng Hao
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  4. Xu Wang
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Correspondence to Xu Wang.

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10118_2022_2651_MOESM1_ESM.pdf

Insertion of Supramolecular Segments into Covalently Crosslinked Polyurethane Networks towards the Fabrication of Recyclable Elastomers

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Wang, LP., Zhang, MG., Hao, JC. et al. Insertion of Supramolecular Segments into Covalently Crosslinked Polyurethane Networks towards the Fabrication of Recyclable Elastomers. Chin J Polym Sci 40, 321–330 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10118-022-2651-2

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