Decoding Exchange Mechanisms in High-Performance Polyurethane Vitrimers: Rheological Deconvolution of Multi-Pathway Dynamics
Abstract
The design of vitrimeric polyurethane (PU) networks requires simultaneously achieving high mechanical performance and efficient reprocessability while resolving the multiple exchange reactions that dictate stress relaxation. Here, we report a polyester-based PU vitrimer (V-PU) synthesized via nonstoichiometric copolymerization of polycaprolactone (PCL), hexamethylene diisocyanate, and butanediol (BDO) under Sn(Oct) 2 catalysis, cross-linked via different isocyanate-derived structures. V-PU exhibited ∼50% higher tensile strength than its linear analogue, retained elongation at break, and displayed rapid stress relaxation (
Fields of Study & Subjects
Polymer composites and self-healing
Hydrogels: synthesis
properties
applications
Carbon dioxide utilization in catalysis
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Macromolecules
- Publisher
- American Chemical Society (ACS)
- Volume
- 59
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 814–830
- Publication date
- 13 January 2026
- Language
- EN