Dynamic Bonds in Covalently Crosslinked Polymer Networks for Photoactivated Strengthening and Healing

Abstract

A photoactivated-strengthening polymer network is reported. This approach incorporates dynamic bonds into the network architecture, which enables a secondary polymerization triggered by UV light. Three attributes of this material are demonstrated, including: i) there is simultaneous photoinduced strengthening and healing after the material is severed, ii) bulk property changes are spatially confined via photopatterning, and iii) there is permanent shape change post-irradiation.