Synthesis of polystyrene-graft-poly(p-benzamide) by chain-growth condensation polymerization and radical polymerization: Improvement of thermal properties of polystyrene

Thermosetting resins and rubbers are widely used in commercial coatings and composites, but these materials are more difficult to recycle than soluble, linear polymers, and hence chemical recycling of crosslinked materials has received considerable attention. Reversible covalent bonding has also recently been utilized for crosslinking, based on the concept of dynamic covalent chemistry in supramolecular chemistry. Although hydrogen bonds are weaker than covalent bonds, crosslinking via hydrogen bonding can be strengthened by employing organized multiple hydrogen bonds. Furthermore, crosslinked polymers based on hydrogen bonding can be cast conveniently from a solution of the polymer in a solvent that breaks hydrogen bonds. Thus, such a crosslinked polymer should be recyclable by treatment with a hydrogen-bond-breaking solvent.