Vitrimere – a new class of smart materials for the sustainable use of polymeric materials

Plastics have become indispensable in numerous areas of application. Since they can only be partially recycled and microplastics are an omnipresent problem, they are nevertheless increasingly criticised. In this context, smart plastics offer an alternative. A new class of smart polymer materials that show outstanding properties are vitrimers. They exhibit self-healing, can be recycled and show improved processability. As possible materials of the future, these polymer networks are to be investigated in the research project from synthesis, characterisation and understanding of the mechanism to their environmental influences.