Self‐Evolution of High Mechanical Strength Dry‐Network Polythiourethane Thermosets into Neat Macroscopic Hollow Structures

• Published in: Angewandte Chemie 2022-03, Vol.134 (14), p.n/a
• Main Authors: Zhou, Shang‐Wu, Tong, Fei, Chen, Meng, Gu, Ruirui, Shi, Chen‐Yu, Yu, Cheng‐Yuan, Zhang, Qi, Qu, Da‐Hui
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Bionics; Chemistry; Evolution; Hydrogen bonding; Hydrogen bonds; Macroscopic Hollow Structure; Mechanical properties; Network Transformation; Polymer films; Polymers; Polythiourethane Thermosets; Self-Evolution; Smart materials; Sodium hydroxide; Thermosetting resins
• ISSN: 0044-8249; 1521-3757
• DOI: 10.1002/ange.202117195

Organism‐inspired hollow structures are attracting increasing interest for the construction of various bionic functional hollow materials. Next‐generation self‐evolution hollow materials tend to combine simple synthesis, high mechanical strength, and regular shape. In this study, we designed and synthesized a novel dry‐network polythiourethane thermoset with excellent mechanical performance. The polymer film could evolve into a neat and well‐organized object with a macroscopic hollow interior structure after being immersed in an aqueous NaOH solution. The self‐evolution hollow structure originated from a hydrogen‐bonded polymer network, which was later transformed into a network bearing both hydrogen bonds and ionic bonds. The swelling and thickness growth of this material could be controlled by the NaOH concentration and the immersion time. This unique self‐evolution behavior was further utilized to produce a series of macroscopic 3D hollow‐containing molds, which could be potentially applied in the production of smart materials. A novel method to obtain macroscopic hollow structures was developed involving a self‐evolution process from dry‐network polythiourethane thermosets (PTUs) polymer films to neat hollow objects via immersion of aqueous NaOH solutions.