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Journal article
Repairable reinforced composites of 1D TiO2 lepidocrocite mesoparticles and thiol-yne click networks via alkylborane-initiated in situ polymerization
Cell reports physical science, v 4(6), 101434
21 Jun 2023
Abstract
Synthesizing high-performance, multifunctional composites often entails poor filler dispersion, complex processes, or limited processing conditions. Hence, the advent of versatile syntheses employing simple conditions, inexpensive fillers, standard equipment, and robust reactions could expand attainable composites having enhanced performance, functionality, and customizability. We report on the synthesis of a novel multifunctional elastomeric composite from a new, reinforcing titania-based filler and a repairable, dynamic-covalent thiol-yne network or dissociative covalent adaptable network. Composites were processed by in situ polymerization via thiol-yne “click” chemistry initiated with a trialkylborane. Composite processing yields quantitative monomer conversion and uniform filler dispersion. The filler was a titania-based mesoparticle, self-assembled from 1D lepidocrocite nanofilaments through a recently discovered, scalable, and nearly universal route to wide-ranging nanostructures. A 47-fold enhancement in the modulus was achieved with 60 wt % filler versus the neat polymer, agreeing with theory. The reinforced, cross-linked composites were multifunctional, providing reprocessability over multiple damage-repair cycles with restoration of their mechanical properties.
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•Borane initiator drives bulk, in situ thiol-yne polymerization to high conversion•Dispersed, reinforcing mesoparticles enhance composite modulus by 47-fold•Dynamic-covalent thioacetal bonds enable composite repair over many damage cycles•Scalable TiO2 mesoparticles assemble from 1D titania-based lepidocrocite nanofilaments
Advanced composites with multifunctionality, scalable constituents, and morphological control remain a synthetic challenge often requiring sophisticated fabrication processes. Wilson et al. report a synthetic pathway to multifunctional composites from scalable, highly reinforcing titania mesoparticles and a reprocessable, cross-linked polymeric elastomer through a simple and robust processing route using “click” chemistry, in situ polymerization, dynamic covalent bonds, and a custom alkylborane initiator.
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Details
- Title
- Repairable reinforced composites of 1D TiO2 lepidocrocite mesoparticles and thiol-yne click networks via alkylborane-initiated in situ polymerization
- Creators
- Olivia R. Wilson - Drexel UniversityMichael S. Carey - Drexel UniversityJacob H. Cope - Drexel UniversityHussein O. Badr - Drexel University, Materials Science and EngineeringJacob M. Nantz - Drexel UniversityTarek A. ElMelegy - Drexel UniversityMichel W. Barsoum - Drexel University, Materials Science and EngineeringAndrew J.D. Magenau - Drexel University, Materials Science and Engineering
- Publication Details
- Cell reports physical science, v 4(6), 101434
- Publisher
- Elsevier
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Materials Science and Engineering
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:001043588900001
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-85162136177
- Other Identifier
- 991021861303904721
InCites Highlights
Data related to this publication, from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool:
- Web of Science research areas
- Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
- Energy & Fuels
- Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
- Physics, Multidisciplinary