Work

Donor-acceptor covalent adaptable networks

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Covalent adaptable networks (CANs) are an important and emerging class of reprocessable materials that have garnered interest due to the modular nature of their mechanical properties and their dynamic behavior upon external stimuli. However, the continuing study of CANs requires more diverse building blocks and a more comprehensive insight into the structure-property relationship between the monomeric components. Herein, we report an example of a CAN composed of energy donors and acceptors (D-A CANs). Precision oligothiophene donors and a naphthalene diimide acceptor were covalently linked through dynamic N,S-acetal chemistry. These materials exhibit innate reprocessability and modular thermal properties of CANs alongside the tunable photophysical properties of D-A polymers. These photophysical and thermal properties could be further altered and regulated by combining these D-A CANs with monomeric units comprising conventional CANs to form D-A CAN composites. This study unlocks a paradigm for designing tailored optoelectronic devices with various architectures and reprocessability. The interest of covalent adaptable networks relies on the modular nature of their mechanical properties and their dynamic behavior upon external stimuli. Here, the authors report covalent adaptable networks composed of donors and acceptors that exhibit reprocessability alongside modular thermal and photophysical properties.

Source: Nature Communications

DOI: 10.1038/s41467-026-69788-0