Simultaneous reinforcement and toughening methods and mechanisms of thermosets: a review

Thermosets are widely used in aerospace, wind energy, hydrogen storage and semiconductors, etc. The highly crosslinked three-dimensional network structure leads to low impact resistance and poor toughness, however, traditional toughening methods are often accompanied by a reduction in strength, so it is particularly important to achieve a balance between resin strength and toughness. This work reviews the methods and mechanisms of synchronous reinforcement and toughening of commonly used thermosets, including the addition of second-phase modifiers such as thermoplastic polymers, block copolymers, liquid crystal polymers, siloxanes, nanoparticles, etc., as well as changing the network structure by introducing hyperbranched polymers, constructing topological network structures, and introducing sacrificial bonds. Finally, the future directions and challenges of high-performance thermosets are summarized and proposed. Overall, this review provides a comprehensive overview of the latest developments in the methods and mechanisms of synchronous reinforcement and toughening of thermosets, providing guidance for their applications in various high-tech, sustainable, and emerging fields.