Nanotechnology in Covalent Adaptable Networks: from Nanocomposites to Surface Patterning

Nanotechnology in Covalent Adaptable Networks: from Nanocomposites to Surface Patterning

ACS Materials Letters

10.1021/acsmaterialslett.2c01083

http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acsmaterialslett.2c01083

Sheng Wang, Bofan Li, Jie Zheng, Nayli Erdeanna Binte Surat’man, Jing Wu, Nannan Wang, Xiwei Xu, Jin Zhu, Xian Jun Loh, Zibiao Li

23 January 2023

Wang, S., Li, B., Zheng, J., Surat’man, N. E. B., Wu, J., Wang, N., Xu, X., Zhu, J., Loh, X. J., & Li, Z. (2023). Nanotechnology in Covalent Adaptable Networks: from Nanocomposites to Surface Patterning. ACS Materials Letters, 5(2), 608–628. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsmaterialslett.2c01083

Cross-linked polymers with dynamic covalent linkages that can exchange and/or reversibly cleave and reformed in response to external stimuli are known as covalent adaptable networks (CANs). These polymeric materials can be recycled and reprocessed like thermoplastics while retaining excellent mechanical characteristics, thermal stability, and chemical stability of classic thermosets. As a result of their ability to provide the benefits of both thermosets and thermoplastics, CANs have received considerable attention over the past two decades. Nanotechnology has been embodied into CANs in recent years, including nanocomposites and surface patterning. The use of nanotechnology can effectively improve thermal and mechanical properties of CANs, endow CANs with new functions (e.g., electrical properties, photothermal effects, surface properties, and optical behaviors) and enable CANs to be used in smart and functional materials. The purpose of this review is to provide a brief summary of current methods used to construct CANs with the help of nanotechnology and to explain how they work and their improvements over conventional CANs. A brief overview of CANs with various dynamic bonds and features is presented. Then, we will provide a summary of the benefits of integrating nanotechnology in CANs by highlighting its formation methods, functionalities, and applications.

Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0)

This research / project is supported by the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) - AME Young Individual Research Grants
Grant Reference no. : A2084c0168

This research / project is supported by the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) - Central Funds
Grant Reference no. : C211718004

This research / project is supported by the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) - Career Development Fund – Seed Project 2022
Grant Reference no. : C222812032

This document is the Accepted Manuscript version of a Published Work that appeared in final form in ACS Materials Letters, copyright © American Chemical Society after peer review and technical editing by the publisher. To access the final edited and published work see doi.org/10.1021/acsmaterialslett.2c01083

https://oar.a-star.edu.sg/communities-collections/articles/20499

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Institute of Sustainability for Chemicals, Energy and Environment