Designing Dynamic Materials from Dynamic Bonds to Macromolecular Architecture

Introducing dynamic and exchangeable bonds can breathe life into polymers by imparting self-healing, enhanced toughness, or adaptability to the material. Synergies between the exchangeable bonds and the polymer's architectural features can facilitate the dynamic exchange pathways and tune the material's thermal and mechanical properties. In recent years, numerous dynamic chemistries and architectural variations have been used to develop superior dynamic polymer materials. This article highlights the diversity of dynamic bonds and the polymer architectures used in dynamic polymers, with a focus on how the interplay of dynamic bonds and polymer architecture can be used to develop advanced materials. Finally, this article highlights how judicious choice of the polymer's architectural features could be used to realize applications of dynamic materials.

Automated summary

Introducing dynamic and exchangeable bonds can enhance polymers by providing self-healing, enhanced toughness, or adaptability, with the synergy between the exchangeable bonds and polymer architecture tuning the material properties and facilitating dynamic exchange pathways.