State-of-the-art epoxy vitrimer nanocomposites with graphene, carbon nanotube and silica—fundamentals and applications (radiation shielding, sensing and corrosion resistance)

Abstract

Recent research is shifting towards adopting recyclable and sustainable plastics instead of traditionally used thermosetting materials. Accordingly, vitrimers behave both as thermoplastics as well as thermosetting polymers. Inimitable vitrimer polymers have been developed with dynamically crosslinked structures enhancing the durability, reprocessing, and mechanical and chemical stability features. This state-of-the-art review discusses vitrimer nanocomposites reinforced with carbonaceous (carbon nanotube, graphene, and graphene oxide) and inorganic (silica, halloysite nanotube) nanofillers has been particularly emphasized. Beneficial structural, microstructural, mechanical strength, modulus, thermal, conducting, reprocessing, engineering, shape memory, self-healing, kinetic, and theoretical topographies have been observed with vitrimers or modified vitrimers (disulfide or ether functional) matrices along with nano-reinforcements towards multifunctional architectures. High-tech vitrimeric nanocomposites show potential regarding electromagnetic shielding, anticorrosion coatings, sensors, joints welding, adhesives, and other sectors. Versatile design compensations, degradability, reprocessability, and methodological features/applications point towards next-generation sustainable materials for modern industries. Hence, this article presents advancements in the field of high performance vitrimeric nanocomposites.