Photocurable Glycerol- and Vanillin-Based Resins for the Synthesis of Vitrimers

Abstract

In this study, photocurable resins based on glycerol and vanillin were designed, synthesized, and applied to digital light processing three-dimensional (3D) printing and vitrimeric abilities such as shape-memory, self-healing, and recyclability have been investigated. First, photocurable resins were prepared and synthesized by combining renewable resources and photocuring as an environmentally friendly strategy for the synthesis of vitrimers. Afterward, the most suitable resin for optical 3D printing was selected by photorheometry, and the thermal and mechanical properties of the resulting polymers were tested. Furthermore, by activating dynamic transesterification reactions at elevated temperatures, the photocured polymer exhibited self-healing, recyclability, and shape-memory properties. The vitrimer with a weight ratio of 8:2 of glycerol- and vanillin-based monomers demonstrated a welding efficiency of tensile strength up to 114.12%, 75% recyclability by alcoholysis, and shape-memory properties above and below two glass transition temperatures.