Dynamics, Dynamic Networks, and Self-Healing

Session Chairs

Christopher N. Bowman (University of Colorado at Boulder, Co, USA)

Kay Saalwächter (Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany)

Invited Speakers

Ranjita Bose (University of Groningen, The Netherlands)

Designing Sustainable Polymer Networks through Dynamic Covalent Bonding (Shared talk with Vitrimers, Sustainable Materials & Recycling)

Recent studies have advanced the design of crosslinked polymer networks by leveraging dynamic covalent chemistries, particularly Diels-Alder thermoreversible bonding. We explore this chemistry to obtain self-healing and reprocessable polymer networks for various applications such as 3D printing, soft robotics, shape-memory elastomers, and debondable adhesives. This lecture will cover synthesis strategies, kinetics of reversibility and structure-property relationships for enabling sustainable and circular polymers.

Christopher Bowman (University of Colorado, USA)

Combining CANs and Dual Cure Networks

Covalent adaptable networks (CANs) provide processing potential otherwise inaccessible in thermosets. The rearrangement of network topology by bond exchange under stimulus (light, heat, pH), is core to the processing capacity; however, is not desirable in some end-use products. Therefore, the implementation of sequentially-controlled orthogonal stages with variable processes is favorable. The combination of dual-cure and dynamic networks overcomes these limitations by arresting dynamic capacity with a permanent network once desired dynamic processing is completed.                                                                       

Joost Brancart (Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Belgium)

Diels-Alder-based polymer network design: structure, reactivity, processing and properties relations (shared talk with Vitrimers, Sustainable Materials & Recycling)

Dynamic polymer networks can be designed very versatile through in-depth knowledge of the dynamic character of the dynamic covalent chemistries and design of the polymer network structure. Intelligent choices of dynamic covalent chemistries and their incorporation in well-designed polymer networks enable tuning of the rheological, mechanical and dynamic behaviour in view of various manufacturing methods and end-use applications.                                                            

Cecile A. Dreiss (Kings College, London, United Kingdom)

Self-assembled poly(pseudo)rotaxanes based on dynamic disulfide bonds: nanostructure, mechanical properties and applications (shared talk with Hydrogels & Ionogels)

Poly(pseudo)rotaxanes (PPR), also referred to as “molecular necklaces”, are linear polymers threaded by macrocyclic molecules, which can act as a versatile scaffold to build functional architectures. We report here the “one-pot” preparation of self-assembled thiol-rich PPR, where thiolated-α-cyclodextrins, spontaneously thread onto polymers and are then crosslinked by the thermally-triggered oxidation of thiols into disulfide bonds into a 3D network. The dynamic thiol groups along the polymer chains provide great modularity for the functionalization of thiophilic metal nanoparticles. By introducing stoppers at the polymer ends, tough hydrogels with remarkable stretchability are obtained.

Marleen Kamperman (University of Groningen, The Netherlands)

Bio-inspired Processing of Polyelectrolyte Complexes

Drawing inspiration from a variety of natural materials, my research group aims to develop bio-inspired designer materials systems. We use different polymerization techniques and processing tools to develop novel (block co-)polyelectrolytes for a variety of applications, including adhesives, scaffolds, bioinks, fibers, and coatings. We are also experienced in 3D bioprinting and related aqueous-based processing tools for tissue engineering purposes.

Sandra Schlögl (Polymer Competence Center Leoben, Austria)

With light towards functional dynamic polymer networks (shared talk with Vitrimers, Sustainable Materials, and Recycling)

Combining the chemistry of dynamic covalent bonds with light-driven reactions offers versatile routes to advance the functionality of dynamic polymer networks. Herein, examples of photochemical reactions are provided, which are used to shape functional dynamic polymers along various length scales, to locally and reversibly control bond exchange kinetics and to reprogram material properties during post-processing steps.

Contributed talks and posters

... will be continuously added until the abstract acceptance deadline.