Polystyrene Hybrid-Vitrimer Based on the Hemiacetal Ester Exchange Reaction

Vitrimer materials, which are permanently cross-linked but reshapable polymers, a class of materials growing interest due to their potential in recycling and sustainable development. More precisely, vitrimers derived from commodity polymers could have drastic impact on plastic consumption the upcoming years. Here, development polystyrene-based vitrimer harnessing recently discovered hemiacetal ester exchange reaction carboxylic acid is presented. 1,4-Cyclohexanedimethanol divinyl ether was reacted with 4-vinylbenzoic (VBA) form species containing two functions. This dimer then copolymerized styrene, butyl acrylate, VBA material presenting pendent groups. exhibited three distinct behaviors at different temperature regimes: below 80 °C, despite reactions able occur this temperature, behaved as frozen hydrogen bonding formed by Between 130 behavior demonstrated rheological creep experiments. At higher temperatures, dissociation groups led loss covalent cross-linking.