Issue 2, 2024

Polymer mechanochemistry: from single molecule to bulk material

Abstract

The field of polymer mechanochemistry has experienced a renaissance over the past decades, primarily propelled by the rapid development of force-sensitive molecular units (i.e., mechanophores) and principles governing the reactivity of polymer networks for mechanochemical transduction or material strengthening. In addition to fundamental guidelines for converting mechanical energy input into chemical output, there has also been increasing focus on engineering applications of polymer mechanochemistry for specific functions, mechanically adaptive material systems, and smart devices. These endeavors are made possible by multidisciplinary approaches involving the development of multifunctional mechanophores for mechanoresponsive polymer systems, mechanochemical catalysis and synthesis, three-dimensional (3D) printed mechanochromic materials, reasonable design of polymer network topology, and computational modeling. The aim of this minireview is to provide a summary of recent advancements in covalent polymer mechanochemistry. We specifically focus on productive mechanophores, mechanical remodeling of polymeric materials, and the development of theoretical concepts.

Graphical abstract: Polymer mechanochemistry: from single molecule to bulk material

Associated articles

Article information

Article type
Review Article
Submitted
29 aug 2023
Accepted
30 nov 2023
First published
05 dec 2023

Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2024,26, 679-694

Polymer mechanochemistry: from single molecule to bulk material

Q. Mu and J. Hu, Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2024, 26, 679 DOI: 10.1039/D3CP04160C

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