Tung Oil-Based Degradable Vitrimer for Reprocessable and Recyclable Vitrimer-MWCNT Composites with Self-Healing Ability Triggered by Multiple Stimuli

In order to reduce the overdependence on petroleum-based products, the preparation of functional polymers with renewable resources has become a research hotspot. In this study, tung oil, extracted from tung tree seeds, was introduced to the synthesis of tung maleic anhydride (TOMA) and epoxidized tung oil ethanolamides (ETOE) via a simple modification of the conjugated double bonds and ester bonds of tung oil, and then tung oil-based vitrimers (PETVs) based on a dynamic hydroxyl ester exchange reaction were prepared with different ratios of ETOE to TOMA. Due to the presence of abundant hydroxyl esters and flexible aliphatic long chains, PETVs showed a fast and excellent self healing performance, and their repair efficiency reached 94.7% at 160 degrees C for 10 min without any catalyst. In addition, PETVs exhibited excellent mechanical properties, alkali degradability, shape memory properties, and recyclability. Degradation experiments indicated that PETVs could be completely hydrolyzed to small-molecule substances in alkaline solutions. PETV/MWCNT composites (PMs) with excellent electrical and thermal conductivity exhibited rapid self-healing ability under the conditions of electrical, infrared radiation, and heating. Compared to conventional petroleum-based thermoset polymers, PETVs with the advantages of environmental friendliness and sustainability could provide a practical strategy to prepare high-performance vitrimers from renewable materials.