Dynamic Bond Chemistry in Soft Materials: Bridging Adaptability and Mechanical Robustness

Soft materials are polymer networks that can be easily deformed by external forces. Incorporating dynamic bonds into these networks imparts various functionalities─such as self-healing, recyclability, and 3D printability─by enabling fast and reversible bond formation. However, the relatively short lifetimes of dynamic bonds compared with permanent covalent bonds can compromise the mechanical robustness of the material. This review highlights design strategies that harness dynamic bonds effectively to achieve both functionality and mechanical robustness in soft materials. We first survey the types of dynamic bonds and their characteristic lifetimes, followed by introducing analytical methods to quantify the network dynamicity. Since the required degree of dynamicity varies depending on the target functionality, we further discuss how to incorporate appropriate dynamic bonds for functionality. Through this, we aim to provide design guidelines for soft materials that combine functionalities with mechanical toughness for reliable use in advanced applications.