FURI | Spring 2025

Dynamic Polymer Nanocomposites with Tailorable Nanoparticle-Based Bonds

This study aims to design dynamic polymer nanocomposites to extend the end-of-life fate of polymeric materials using nanoparticle-based bonds. Existing polymers mostly exhibit only one thermodynamic state, which limits their self-healing rate and robustness. Here, we propose a system where nanoparticles are functionalized with static (e.g., non-spiropyran-containing) and dynamic (e.g., photoresponsive spiropyran-containing) ligands with end groups that interact with polymer chains via noncovalent bonds. In this system, the material exhibits two equilibrium states (i.e, in-use and self-healing), which can be activated through external stimuli (e.g., light). This study investigates the effect of ligand density and nanoparticle concentration on the macroscopic properties of the materials. This design will help develop adaptable materials with extended lifetimes.