Polydimethylsiloxane quenchable vitrimers

An elastomeric vitrimer material was synthesized via the crosslinking of a polydimethylsiloxane bearing pendant amino functions with a bis-vinylogous urethane crosslinker. The elastic properties of this material could be tuned across a wide range of moduli by varying crosslink density. Reshaping and recyclability were observed at 100 degrees C. Further investigation of the dynamic character revealed double relaxations, which could be supressed by masking free amino groups. Finally, these studies led to the development of a single-pot, solution-castable formulation of a non-dynamic permanent elastomer. These results open a way for the design of quenchable vitrimers, that is to say crosslinked materials which after shaping or recycling exhibit conventional elastomer properties.