Issue 1, 2016

Vitrimers: permanent organic networks with glass-like fluidity

Abstract

Most covalent adaptable networks give highly interesting properties for material processing such as reshaping, recycling and repairing. Classical thermally reversible chemical cross-links allow for a heat-triggered switch between materials that behave as insoluble cured resins, and liquid thermoplastic materials, through a fully reversible sol–gel transition. In 2011, a new class of materials, coined vitrimers, was introduced, which extended the realm of adaptable organic polymer networks. Such materials have the remarkable property that they can be thermally processed in a liquid state without losing network integrity. This feature renders the materials processable like vitreous glass, not requiring precise temperature control. In this mini-review, an overview of the state-of-the-art in the quickly emerging field of vitrimer materials is presented. With a main focus on the chemical origins of their unique thermal behavior, the existing chemical systems and their properties will be discussed. Furthermore, future prospects and challenges in this important research field are highlighted.

Graphical abstract: Vitrimers: permanent organic networks with glass-like fluidity

Article information

Article type
Minireview
Submitted
19 Jun 2015
Accepted
25 Sep 2015
First published
08 Oct 2015
This article is Open Access

All publication charges for this article have been paid for by the Royal Society of Chemistry
Creative Commons BY license

Chem. Sci., 2016,7, 30-38

Vitrimers: permanent organic networks with glass-like fluidity

W. Denissen, J. M. Winne and F. E. Du Prez, Chem. Sci., 2016, 7, 30 DOI: 10.1039/C5SC02223A

This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported Licence. You can use material from this article in other publications without requesting further permissions from the RSC, provided that the correct acknowledgement is given.

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