3D printing of dynamic covalent polymer network with on-demand geometric and mechanical reprogrammability.

ABSTRACT: Delicate geometries and suitable mechanical properties are essential for device applications of polymer materials. 3D printing offers unprecedented versatility, but the geometries and mechanical properties are typically fixed after printing. Here, we report a 3D photo-printable dynamic covalent network that can undergo two independently controllable bond exchange reactions, allowing reprogramming the geometry and mechanical properties after printing. Specifically, the network is designed to contain hindered urea bonds and pendant hydroxyl groups. The homolytic exchange between hindered urea bonds allows reconfiguring the printed shape without affecting the network topology and mechanical properties. Under different conditions, the hindered urea bonds are transformed into urethane bonds via

SUBMITTER: Fang Z 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10006071 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature