Overcoming Rigidity Through Flexibility: Epoxy Vitrimer Integrates Ultrahigh Strength, Excellent Network Dynamicity and Closed‐Loop Recyclability

ABSTRACT Current research on epoxy (EP) vitrimers primarily focuses on enhancing material mechanical properties and self‐healing efficiency. However, EPs with high mechanical strength struggle to reconcile network dynamicity due to their high crosslinking density or substantial content of rigid moieties. Consequently, they often require harsh repair/recycling conditions, exhibit low recycling efficiency. In this study, a series of EP vitrimers with different crosslinking network structures was prepared by reacting a high‐rigidity group‐concentrated multi‐reversible dynamic bond long‐chain curing agent with a flexible epoxy monomer containing polyether bonds. The concept of crosslinking network rigid‐flexible ratio (CRFR) was introduced to quantify the properties. Through structural optimization, the EP vitrimer demonstrated ultrahigh tensile strength (91.6 MPa) and storage modulus (2.65 GPa). Its excellent network dynamicity resulted in an ultra‐fast stress relaxation rate (8.7 s at 120°C), outstanding processability and shape‐memory properties. Furthermore, the EP vitrimer can be fully degraded at 50°C in either an HCl pure H 2 O/DMF solution. The degradation products can be repolymerized directly, enabling green closed‐loop recycling with full retention of the original mechanical strength. This work provides an important theoretical foundation and a new pathway for the design of high‐strength polymers, as well as for the green recycling of EP vitrimers.

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Publication Details

Journal
Advanced Functional Materials
Published
2026-04-22
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.75558
Primary Topic
Polymer composites and self-healing
Type
article
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article

Overcoming Rigidity Through Flexibility: Epoxy Vitrimer Integrates Ultrahigh Strength, Excellent Network Dynamicity and Closed‐Loop Recyclability

Jiangxuan Song, X J Liu, Shaojian He, Jun Lin et al.
Advanced Functional Materials
Polymer composites and self-healing
article

Overcoming Rigidity Through Flexibility: Epoxy Vitrimer Integrates Ultrahigh Strength, Excellent Network Dynamicity and Closed‐Loop Recyclability

Jiangxuan Song, X J Liu, Shaojian He, Jun Lin, Kaiqing Li, Wei Liu, Yi Wang
article en

Abstract

ABSTRACT Current research on epoxy (EP) vitrimers primarily focuses on enhancing material mechanical properties and self‐healing efficiency. However, EPs with high mechanical strength struggle to reconcile network dynamicity due to their high crosslinking density or substantial content of rigid moieties. Consequently, they often require harsh repair/recycling conditions, exhibit low recycling efficiency. In this study, a series of EP vitrimers with different crosslinking network structures was prepared by reacting a high‐rigidity group‐concentrated multi‐reversible dynamic bond long‐chain curing agent with a flexible epoxy monomer containing polyether bonds. The concept of crosslinking network rigid‐flexible ratio (CRFR) was introduced to quantify the properties. Through structural optimization, the EP vitrimer demonstrated ultrahigh tensile strength (91.6 MPa) and storage modulus (2.65 GPa). Its excellent network dynamicity resulted in an ultra‐fast stress relaxation rate (8.7 s at 120°C), outstanding processability and shape‐memory properties. Furthermore, the EP vitrimer can be fully degraded at 50°C in either an HCl pure H 2 O/DMF solution. The degradation products can be repolymerized directly, enabling green closed‐loop recycling with full retention of the original mechanical strength. This work provides an important theoretical foundation and a new pathway for the design of high‐strength polymers, as well as for the green recycling of EP vitrimers.

Advanced Functional Materials
North China Electric Power University (CN), Xi'an Jiaotong University (CN)
Openalex Percentile: Top 12%
Polymer composites and self-healing
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