Toughening and enhancing thermostability of vitrimer rubber via adding heterocyclic aramid

Abstract Vitrimers instead of traditional materials is deemed as an effective way to solve the problem of material recycling. However, because of the reversible nature of dynamic covalent bonds, it is a challenge to improve the thermostability of vitrimers. Herein, we present a facile strategy by adding a small quantity of heterocyclic aramid to epoxidized natural rubber to simultaneously reinforce the mechanical properties and thermostability of dynamically cross-linked rubber. The improved comprehensive performances of vitrimer rubber resulted from the hydrogen bonds and covalent cross-linking bonds formed between epoxidized natural rubber and heterocyclic aramid fillers.