Polydimethylsiloxane quenchable vitrimers

Abstract

An elastomeric vitrimer material was synthesized via the crosslinking of a polydimethylsiloxane bearing pendant amino functions with a bis-vinylogous urethane crosslinker. The elastic properties of this material could be tuned across a wide range of moduli by varying crosslink density. Reshaping and recyclability were observed at 100 °C. Further investigation of the dynamic character revealed double relaxations, which could be supressed by masking free amino groups. Finally, these studies led to the development of a single-pot, solution-castable formulation of a non-dynamic permanent elastomer. These results open a way for the design of quenchable vitrimers, that is to say crosslinked materials which after shaping or recycling exhibit conventional elastomer properties.