Covalent Adaptable Networks from Commodity Polybutadiene and Rubber Waste.

ABSTRACT: Rubbers are polymer networks that are used in many everyday applications ranging from tires to apparel. Unfortunately, the cross-links that give these materials their desirable properties also make them difficult to recycle. Covalent adaptable networks (CANs) are a promising class of cross-linked polymers that rearrange their cross-links in response to a stimulus like heat, making them more recyclable than conventional thermosets. Herein we present a method of incorporating dithioalkylidenes, a catalyst-free associative dynamic bond, into polybutadiene rubbers using olefin metathesis. The modified polymers are cross-linked with a multiarmed thiol, and the resulting networks are chemically and mechanically recycled. Evolution of the network microstructure during recycling results in up to a

SUBMITTER: Hart DR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12848713 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature