Sustainable vitrimer based on Hydroxyethylcellulose and biobased epoxy

Cellulose plastic is an environmentally friendly material that shows excellent performance in the field of polymer materials. However, it exhibits a relatively high processing temperature, poor solvent resistance, and high performance loss during high-temperature reprocessing hindering its applications. We report the preparation of a cellulose-based grape-based vitrimer by grafting a bioepoxy cross-linker and an internal plasticiser (alkoxyglycidyl ether) onto a cellulose chain via an epoxy chemical reaction. The glass transition temperature, processability, and reprocessing conditions of the material were adjusted by changing the ratio of the crosslinking agent and the internal plasticizer. The prepared cellulose-based vitrimers had low glass transition temperatures, good processing and solvent resistance, and excellent reprocessing and recycling performance. The introduction of a covalent crosslinking network reduced the reprocessing temperature of the cellulose-based materials and avoided the migration and seepage of plasticizers. This study provides an important basis for the use of cellulose in the preparation of green and sustainable vitrimers for potential industrial applications.