Bio‐Based Covalent Adaptable Oligorotaxane Networks

ABSTRACT The construction of high‐performance polymers from sustainable resources represents a forefront direction in materials science. Dynamic covalent chemistry can introduce recyclability into bio‐based cross‐linked polymers, yet a trade‐off between their mechanical robustness and reprocessability often persists. Herein, we report a synergistic integration of biomass feedstocks, dynamic covalent bonds, and mechanically interlocked architectures to create bio‐based covalent adaptable oligorotaxane networks ( OR BCANs), seamlessly combining mechanical robustness, biomass‐derived sustainability, and circular reprocessability. These networks form through catalyst‐free reactions between epoxidized soybean oil and the topologically engineered polyrotaxane. Benefiting from unique force‐responsive behaviors of the polyrotaxanes, representative OR BCAN‐ 3 exhibits exceptional mechanical properties with significantly enhanced Young's modulus (42 vs. 7.0 MPa), maximum stress (8.6 vs. 2.3 MPa), fracture strain (234% vs. 89%), and toughness (12.6 vs. 1.2 MJ/m 3 ) compared to control whose wheels are nonslidable under applied force. Furthermore, the incorporated β ‐hydroxy ester linkages enable dynamic transesterification under mild conditions, allowing the material to be efficiently reprocessed multiple times at 110°C while completely retaining its structural integrity and mechanical performance. This strategy bridges biomass‐derived platforms and mechanically interlocked architectures, opening a pathway to sustainable polymers with robust mechanical properties, extended durability, and end‐of‐life recyclability.

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Publication Details

Journal
Angewandte Chemie
Published
2026-05-21
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/ange.6436445
Primary Topic
Polymer composites and self-healing
Type
article
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article

Bio‐Based Covalent Adaptable Oligorotaxane Networks

Wenzhe Gao, Xuzhou Yan, Ruixue Bai, Wei Yu et al.
Angewandte Chemie
Polymer composites and self-healing
article

Bio‐Based Covalent Adaptable Oligorotaxane Networks

Wenzhe Gao, Xuzhou Yan, Ruixue Bai, Wei Yu, Wenbin Wang, Zhaoming Zhang
article en

Abstract

ABSTRACT The construction of high‐performance polymers from sustainable resources represents a forefront direction in materials science. Dynamic covalent chemistry can introduce recyclability into bio‐based cross‐linked polymers, yet a trade‐off between their mechanical robustness and reprocessability often persists. Herein, we report a synergistic integration of biomass feedstocks, dynamic covalent bonds, and mechanically interlocked architectures to create bio‐based covalent adaptable oligorotaxane networks ( OR BCANs), seamlessly combining mechanical robustness, biomass‐derived sustainability, and circular reprocessability. These networks form through catalyst‐free reactions between epoxidized soybean oil and the topologically engineered polyrotaxane. Benefiting from unique force‐responsive behaviors of the polyrotaxanes, representative OR BCAN‐ 3 exhibits exceptional mechanical properties with significantly enhanced Young's modulus (42 vs. 7.0 MPa), maximum stress (8.6 vs. 2.3 MPa), fracture strain (234% vs. 89%), and toughness (12.6 vs. 1.2 MJ/m 3 ) compared to control whose wheels are nonslidable under applied force. Furthermore, the incorporated β ‐hydroxy ester linkages enable dynamic transesterification under mild conditions, allowing the material to be efficiently reprocessed multiple times at 110°C while completely retaining its structural integrity and mechanical performance. This strategy bridges biomass‐derived platforms and mechanically interlocked architectures, opening a pathway to sustainable polymers with robust mechanical properties, extended durability, and end‐of‐life recyclability.

Angewandte Chemie
Renji Hospital (CN), Chemical Synthesis Lab (SG), Xi'an Jiaotong University (CN)
Responsible consumption and production
Openalex Percentile: Top 11%
Polymer composites and self-healing
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