Lignin-based epoxy composite vitrimers with light-controlled remoldability

Vitrimers open new possibilities in the reprocess of epoxy and other thermosets. However, direct heating is not practical on many occasions, waste vitrimers would cause great harm to environment. In this work, we propose use kraft lignin (KL) fabricate vitrimer with reprocessability environmental friendliness. The lignin-based was fabricated by blending epoxy-modified KL poly(ethylene glycol) bis(carboxymethyl) ether (PEG-DCM). obtained (EML/PEG-DCM) showed good light-to-heat capability. Under infrared radiation (808 nm, 1 W cm−2) for only 30 s, surface temperature EML/PEG-DCM over ∼148 °C, reached maximum at ∼231 °C 5 min. This effect can activate dynamic 3D cross-linking networks repair vitrimer. energy consumption light-controlled remolding process one-thousandth conventional hot-press. study helps explore natural characteristics lignins, promoting their functional intelligent utilization, but also provides a raw material platform development green materials.