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.
Xu et al. (Wed,) studied this question.