Force–reversible chemical reaction at ambient temperature for designing toughened dynamic covalent polymer networks

Abstract

Weak force-activated covalent bonds as crosslink points can increase mechanical strength and ductility in polymers but the bonds, once broken, cannot be reformed in real time under ambient conditions leading to irreversible damage. Here, the authors demonstrate that triazolinedione (TAD)-indole adducts acting as crosslink points enable materials to display already at ambient temperature reversible stress-responsiveness in real time.