Reconfigurable 4D Printing of Reprocessable and Mechanically Strong Polythiourethane Covalent Adaptable Networks

Abstract

Abstract 4D printing has attracted tremendous interest because of its potential applications in smart devices, biomedical and tissue engineering. However, conventional shape memory polymers suffer from the single permanent shape and recovery direction, the flexibility of 4D printing is significantly limited. Besides, the cross‐linked networks of photocuring 3D‐printed objects cannot be reprocessed or repaired. To address these issues, the dynamic thiocarbamate bonds are introduced into the photocurable methacrylate to prepare reprocessable and self‐healable 4D printing polythiourethane (4DP‐PTU) with Young's modulus of 1.2 GPa and tensile strength of 61.9 MPa. The printed objects can be easily repaired by reprinting on the damaged surface. The shape memorized 4DP‐PTU features high shape fixity and shape recovery, and reconfigurable permanent shape brought by the solid‐state plasticity. A dual‐mode triggered alarm is obtained by the incorporation of carbon nanotubes to demonstrate the potential application in smart alarms for warning of laser exposure or fire case. Moreover, the surface wettability and cell adhesion performance of 4DP‐PTU with excellent biocompatibility can be facilely adjusted through the exchange reaction with sulfhydryl compounds. Accordingly, 4DP‐PTU may show vast potential applications in the field of robotics, smart alarm, bio‐implants and in solving the environmental challenges of 3D‐printed products.