New Prospects Arising from Dynamically Crosslinked Polymers: Reprogramming Their Properties

Abstract

Dynamically crosslinked polymers (DCPs) have gained significant attention owing to their applications in fabricating (re)processable, recyclable, and self‐healable thermosets, which hold great promise in addressing ecological issues such as plastic pollution and resource scarcity. However, the current research predominantly focuses on redefining and/or manipulating their geometries while replicating their bulk properties. Given the inherent design flexibility of dynamic covalent networks, DCPs also exhibit a remarkable potential for various novel applications through post‐synthesis reprogramming their properties. In this review, we present the recent advancements in strategies that enable DCPs to transform their bulk properties after synthesis. The underlying mechanisms and associated material properties are overviewed mainly through three distinct strategies, namely latent catalysts, material‐growth, and topology isomerizable networks. Furthermore, the mutual relationship and impact of these strategies when integrated within one material system are also discussed. Finally, the application prospects and relevant issues necessitating further investigation, along with the potential solutions are analyzed.This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved

Ligand Dissociation of Metal-Complex Photocatalysts toward pH-Photomanipulation in Dynamic Covalent Hydrogels for Printing Reprocessable and Recyclable Devices

“…Dynamic polymers have garnered significant attention due to their unique dynamic features and similar mechanical performances to traditional static polymers. − Their reversible networks allow them to reconfigure and restructure, with potential applications in high-performance smart materials, soft devices, electronics, and other fields. − For example, programmatically controlling the dynamic equilibrium in polymers enables precise shape-memory behavior in specific environments. − Their dynamic nature gives them excellent self-healing, reprocessable, and recyclable properties under external stimuli. − Especially dynamic hydrogels, with their water-rich and porous structures, offer biomimetic microenvironments, while reversible bonding provides mechanical dynamics for stiffness control in cell culture, tissue repair, and conformable bioelectronics fabrication. − Moreover, dynamic polymer hydrogels with covalent bonding interactions demonstrate superior mechanical performance to those with noncovalent interactions. Combining hydrogel preparation with emerging additive manufacturing technologies can further extend their advanced applications with complex structures. , Therefore, developing high-performance dynamic covalent hydrogels is essential and presents an intriguing topic in related fields.…”