PhD defence

Molecular Tuneability of Imine-based Covalent Adaptable Networks

PhD candidate Sybren SK (Sybren) Schoustra BSc
Promotor prof.dr. JT (Han) Zuilhof
External copromotor Dr. Ir. Maarten Smulders
Organisation Wageningen University, Laboratory for Organic Chemistry
Date

Tue 7 March 2023 13:30 to 15:00

Venue Omnia, building number 105
Hoge Steeg 2
105
6708 PH Wageningen
+31 (0) 317 - 484500
Room Auditorium

Summary

Plastics have become one of the most important materials over the last decades as they have numerous advantageous properties. Unfortunately, however, many plastics cannot be recycled properly yet. Especially mechanically robust plastics (thermosets) are difficult to recycle. This is due to their permanent network structure within the material. To overcome this recyclability problem, dynamic covalent bonds can be built into this network to produce so-called covalent adaptable networks (CANs). The dynamic covalent bonds enable the network strands to interact and exchange when heated. As such, the material can now be recycled similar to other (soft) plastics without losing its strength. In this thesis, several studies are presented to tune and enhance the material properties of these CANs. The findings presented several distinct correlations between the molecular and macroscopic properties of the materials. As such, strong yet recyclable materials with tuneable properties could be designed.