Solid-Liquid Vitrimers Based on Dynamic Boronic Ester Networks

The solid-liquid behavior of vitrimers have not been systematically investigated. Herein, a series of solid-liquid vitrimers bearing varying contents of dynamic boronic ester bonds were synthesized via thiol-ene click reactions. These vitrimers allow for flexibile modulation of their network structures and thus show a range of intriguing properties including high stretchability, flexible transition from elasticity to plasticity, strong strain rate dependence, and solid-liquid performance. The dynamic association rate of boronic ester bonds within these vitrimers could be apparently accelerated via increasing the content of boronic ester, which could be used to shape-program the flat vitrimer films into various complex 3D structures just with external force. Materials with such versatile dynamic behavior may open up a range of new applications.

Automated summary

The solid-liquid behavior of vitrimers with dynamic boronic ester bonds was investigated, revealing high stretchability, flexible transition between elasticity and plasticity, strong strain rate dependence, and the ability to shape complex 3D structures with external force. Increasing the boronic ester content accelerated the dynamic association rate, allowing for versatile applications.