Abstract: Methods of forming a disulfide-crosslinked non-isocyanate polythiourethane (NIPTU) foam are provided, the methods comprising: reacting a difunctional cyclic dithiocarbonate and a diamine in the presence of a blowing agent to form a NIPTU foam having a solid matrix comprising linear non-isocyanate polythiourethane chains crosslinked by interchain disulfide crosslinks, wherein surfaces of the solid matrix define a plurality of pores distributed throughout. The disulfide-crosslinked non-isocyanate polythiourethane (NIPTU) foams formed by the methods are also provided.

Abstract: Provided are methods of synthesizing polymerizable alkylamino disulfide compounds which may be used as dynamic crosslinkers to form dynamic crosslinked polymer networks.

Abstract: Provided are random copolymers exhibiting the ability to self-heal, including under ambient conditions (room temperature and atmospheric pressure). Compositions comprising the random copolymers are also provided. The self-healing, random copolymer is a polymerization product of monomers comprising a branched alkyl (meth)acrylate and a comonomer, wherein the branched alkyl (meth)acrylate is present at an amount of at least 40 mol %.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for making organic crosslinkers having hindered urea bonds and methods and compositions for making dynamic crosslinked polymer networks using the organic crosslinkers via addition chemistry are provided. Also provided are methods for processing and reprocessing the dynamic crosslinked polymer networks in which the crosslinkers dissociate at elevated temperatures and recombine upon cooling. Polymer networks formed using the dynamic crosslinkers can be reprocessed multiple times at modest temperatures with full recovery of crosslink density.

Abstract: Disulfide-crosslinked non-isocyanate polythiourethane networks, methods of making the disulfide crosslinked non-isocyanate polythiourethane networks, and methods of reprocessing the disulfide crosslinked non-isocyanate polythiourethane networks are provided. The polymer backbone chains of the non-isocyanate polythiourethane networks include two or more thionourethane groups and inter-chain disulfide crosslinks and are branched at thionourethane linkages. The reprocessable disulfide crosslinked non-isocyanate polythiourethanes can be formed from renewable, biobased starting materials.

Abstract: A method of producing a polymer-clay nanocomposite comprises providing a supply of polymer-clay mixture, exfoliating the mixture through solid-state shear pulverization in the presence of cooling sufficient to maintain the extruded mixture in the solid state during the pulverization, and discharging the resulting exfoliated mixture. The invention is also directed to a method of producing a polymer hybrid nanocomposite, wherein a component is dispersed throughout a polymer matrix by solid-state shear pulverization of a polymer mixed with the second component.