Scalable and facile synthesis of acetal covalent adaptable networks with readily adjustable properties

Abstract Covalent adaptable networks (CANs) were rapidly developed to address the recycle issue of thermosets; however, facile and scalable synthesis of CANs is still a challenge. Here, we report the preparation of the acetal-based covalent adaptable networks with commercially available raw materials by a one-pot method without solvent, which can achieve zero atom loss over the whole process. The CANs were synthesized through the radical copolymerization of styrene (or 2-ethylhexyl methacrylate), 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate and addition reaction of hydroxyl from 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate and a divinyl ether in one pot. The CANs could be recycled by hot-press reprocessing, and could also be degraded and regenerated into networks to achieve closed-loop recycling. In addition, the thermal and mechanical properties could be readily regulated by changing the monomers for the preparation. This work provides a scalable method to prepare acetal-based CANs, which will shorten the scientific research of CANs to industrialization.