- By:
- Nguyen, Ngoc A; Bowland, Christopher C; He, Lilin ; Osti, Naresh C; Phan, Minh ; Keum, Jong K; Tyagi, Madhusudan; Meek, Kelly; Littrell, Kenneth C; Mamontov, Eugene ; Ankner, John F; Naskar, Amit K
- Journal Name:
- Advanced Sustainable Systems
- Page Number:
- 2300079
- Volume:
- 7
- Issue Number:
- 7
- Publication Date:
- December 27, 2023
- View DOI Listing:
- https://doi.org/10.1002/adsu.202300079
Abstract
Polymeric materials are usually tailored for specific functionality. A single polymer exhibiting multiple simultaneous functionalities often requires intricate molecular architecture, which is difficult to manufacture at scale because of its complex synthesis routes. Herein, a facile, partly renewable composition―prepared via reactive melt processing―that induces tunable functionalities such as 3D printability, shape recovery, and self-healing while exhibiting satisfactory mechanical properties is reported. The system with a hydrogen-bonded 3D network consists of thermally reversible nano-scale agglomerates of sustainable, rigid phenolic oligomers and crystallizable flexible polymer. Local molecular mobility and temperature-dependent relaxation and recovery of the non-equilibrium networked states enable exploiting these simultaneous functionalities. Transitions involving solidification and structure stabilization at ambient temperature spanning several hours after preheating only at 70 °C directly contrast typical thermoplastic or thermoplastic elastomer behaviors. Results from this study can inform the design of future rheology modifiers and materials for soft robotics.
