Abstract
Vitrimers are thermally reversible crosslinked polymers that combine the performance of thermosets with the benefits of melt (re)processing. However, existing high-storage modulus vitrimers lack this melt-reprocessibility. This study reports on high storage modulus vitrimers obtained by grafting vinyltrimethoxysilane onto high-density polyethylene (HDPE) using silyl ether crosslinker, bis[3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl]amine. We also explored the effects of 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidinol and diethyl maleate on the performance of these vitrimers. All vitrimers reported herein are prepared in one step via melt-extrusion without the use of any solvent or catalyst. These vitrimers were characterized via differential scanning calorimetry, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, dynamic mechanical analysis and mechanical testing. Selected vitrimers were melt-reprocessed six times and assessed for changes in their storage modulus and mechanical strength by industry-relevant extrusion processing. This study is the first of its kind to offer a solvent-free, single-step approach for the synthesis of vitrimers from HDPE. These vitrimers exhibit an impact strength five times higher relative to that of conventional HDPE, a very high storage modulus (1.58 MPa) at 180oC, and full melt-reprocessability. Considering that extrusion and injection molding is used, the storage modulus achieved in this study is significantly higher than that of vitrimers generated by compression molding, which is commonly used in previous research.
Published Version
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