Polycarbonate Vitrimers and Dynamic Co‐Networks From Epoxide/Carbon Dioxide Copolymerization

ABSTRACT Understanding how backbone chemistry and crosslinker functionality shape vitrimer behavior is key to designing recyclable networks with predictable performance. In this work, we use CO 2 ‐derived poly(propylene carbonate) (PPC) and poly(cyclohexene carbonate) (PCHC) backbones to systematically probe how molecular structure influences glass transition, stress‐relaxation dynamics and mechanical properties in β‐hydroxyester vitrimers. By varying epoxide identity and backbone composition, we access a broad thermomechanical performance window, including tunable T g values (−2 to 73°C) and materials with mechanical behaviors ranging from those of highly extensible networks (>200% elongation at break) to those of stiff, glassy materials with Young's moduli of 1.8 GPa and tensile strengths up to 34.5 MPa. Blending PPC and PCHC during formation of dynamic networks further reveals miscibility boundaries and nanoscale morphologies that correlate with thermal and dynamic behaviors. Together, these results establish practical structure–property guidelines for designing CO 2 ‐based polycarbonate vitrimers with tunable behavior.

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Publication Details

Journal
Macromolecular Rapid Communications
Published
2026-06-17
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/marc.70330
Primary Topic
Polymer composites and self-healing
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00
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article

Polycarbonate Vitrimers and Dynamic Co‐Networks From Epoxide/Carbon Dioxide Copolymerization

Mark D. Foster, James M. Eagan, Sophia Aracri, Satej S. Joshi
Macromolecular Rapid Communications
Polymer composites and self-healing
article

Polycarbonate Vitrimers and Dynamic Co‐Networks From Epoxide/Carbon Dioxide Copolymerization

Mark D. Foster, James M. Eagan, Sophia Aracri, Satej S. Joshi
article en

Abstract

ABSTRACT Understanding how backbone chemistry and crosslinker functionality shape vitrimer behavior is key to designing recyclable networks with predictable performance. In this work, we use CO 2 ‐derived poly(propylene carbonate) (PPC) and poly(cyclohexene carbonate) (PCHC) backbones to systematically probe how molecular structure influences glass transition, stress‐relaxation dynamics and mechanical properties in β‐hydroxyester vitrimers. By varying epoxide identity and backbone composition, we access a broad thermomechanical performance window, including tunable T g values (−2 to 73°C) and materials with mechanical behaviors ranging from those of highly extensible networks (>200% elongation at break) to those of stiff, glassy materials with Young's moduli of 1.8 GPa and tensile strengths up to 34.5 MPa. Blending PPC and PCHC during formation of dynamic networks further reveals miscibility boundaries and nanoscale morphologies that correlate with thermal and dynamic behaviors. Together, these results establish practical structure–property guidelines for designing CO 2 ‐based polycarbonate vitrimers with tunable behavior.

Macromolecular Rapid Communications
University of Akron (US)
Openalex Percentile: Top 14%
Polymer composites and self-healing
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