Design of Vitrimers with Simultaneous Degradable and Dynamic Crosslinkers: Mechanical and Thermal Behavior Based on Transesterification Reactions Between β-Amino Esters and Hydroxylated Acrylate/Methacrylate Monomers

In recent years, efforts have focused on developing repairable, malleable, and recyclable thermoset materials to reduce the growing volume of polymer waste and extend the lifetime of existing polymeric materials. Specifically, associative covalent adaptable networks (CANs), also known as vitrimers, have received considerable attention. In this work, photopolymerizable vitrimers were prepared by combining crosslinkers containing <i>β</i>-amino esters in their structure with hydroxylated acrylate or methacrylate monomers, with the aim of reprocessing these materials through the activation of transesterification reactions. The network design and photopolymerization conditions were optimized to ensure the successful formation of the vitrimers. Tunable mechanical and thermal properties were achieved by varying their chemical composition. Furthermore, the reprocessing ability of these materials was confirmed through thermal treatments. Additionally, these vitrimers exhibited the ability to undergo hydrolysis in basic aqueous media, providing an alternative pathway for recycling.