Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Network Covalent Solids

Network Covalent Solids

Network covalent solids contain a three-dimensional network of covalently bonded atoms as found in the crystal structures of nonmetals like diamond, graphite, silicon, and some covalent compounds, such as silicon dioxide (sand) and silicon carbide (carborundum, the abrasive on sandpaper). Many minerals have networks of covalent bonds.
To break or to melt a covalent network solid, covalent bonds must be broken. Because covalent bonds are relatively strong, covalent network solids are typically...

Covalent Bonds

Covalent Bonds

Covalent Bonds

Covalent Bonds

Overview
When two atoms share electrons to complete their valence shells, they create a covalent bond. An atom's electronegativity—the force with which shared electrons are pulled towards an atom—determines how the electrons are shared. Molecules formed with covalent bonds can be either polar or nonpolar. Atoms with similar electronegativities form nonpolar covalent bonds; the electrons are shared equally. Atoms with different electronegativities share electrons unequally,...

Covalently Linked Protein Regulators

Covalently Linked Protein Regulators

Proteins can undergo many types of post-translational modifications, often in response to changes in their environment. These modifications play an important role in the function and stability of these proteins. Covalently linked molecules include functional groups, such as methyl, acetyl, and phosphate groups, and also small proteins, such as ubiquitin. There are around 200 different types of covalent regulators that have been identified.
These groups modify specific amino acids in a protein....

Covalently Linked Protein Regulators

Covalently Linked Protein Regulators

Covalent Bonding and Lewis Structures

Covalent Bonding and Lewis Structures

Compared to ionic bonds, which results from the transfer of electrons between metallic and nonmetallic atoms, covalent bonds result from the mutual attraction of atoms for a “shared” pair of electrons.

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Interfacial Dynamics Accelerate Aging Yet Sustain Toughness in Poly(l‑lactide) Block Polymer Plastics.

ACS central science·2026

Same author

Correction to "Covalent Adaptable Networks from Commodity Polybutadiene and Rubber Waste".

JACS Au·2026

Same author

Strategies toward Renewable and Compostable Intravenous Bag Materials.

ACS applied bio materials·2026

Same author

Donor-Acceptor Stenhouse Adducts as Intrinsically Photoswitchable Dynamic Covalent Bonds.

Journal of the American Chemical Society·2025

Same author

Plastically Deformable, Mechanically Strong, and Degradable Polymeric Airway Stents from Sustainable Aliphatic Polyester Block Polymers.

ACS biomaterials science & engineering·2025

Same author

Polyacrylamide Hydrogels with Reversibly Photocontrolled Stiffness for 2D Mechanobiology.

ACS applied materials & interfaces·2025

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 31, 2026

Synthesis of Information-bearing Peptoids and their Sequence-directed Dynamic Covalent Self-assembly

Synthesis of Information-bearing Peptoids and their Sequence-directed Dynamic Covalent Self-assembly

Published on: February 6, 2020

Covalent Adaptable Networks from Commodity Polybutadiene and Rubber Waste.

Daniel R Hart¹, Nina B Georgieva¹, Daniel M Krajovic²

¹Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States.

|January 30, 2026

Summary

Researchers developed recyclable rubbers using adaptable polymer networks. This novel method enhances material toughness over multiple recycling cycles and upcycles rubber waste into high-performance composites.

Keywords:

covalent adaptable network elastomer recycling rubber upcycling vitrimer

More Related Videos

Author Spotlight: Advancing Anaerobic Microbiota Research Using a Novel Respirometry Protocol

Author Spotlight: Advancing Anaerobic Microbiota Research Using a Novel Respirometry Protocol

Published on: April 26, 2024

Automated Deployment of an Internet Protocol Telephony Service on Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Using Network Functions Virtualization

Automated Deployment of an Internet Protocol Telephony Service on Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Using Network Functions Virtualization

Published on: November 26, 2019

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jan 31, 2026

Synthesis of Information-bearing Peptoids and their Sequence-directed Dynamic Covalent Self-assembly

Synthesis of Information-bearing Peptoids and their Sequence-directed Dynamic Covalent Self-assembly

Published on: February 6, 2020

Author Spotlight: Advancing Anaerobic Microbiota Research Using a Novel Respirometry Protocol

Author Spotlight: Advancing Anaerobic Microbiota Research Using a Novel Respirometry Protocol

Published on: April 26, 2024

Automated Deployment of an Internet Protocol Telephony Service on Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Using Network Functions Virtualization

Automated Deployment of an Internet Protocol Telephony Service on Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Using Network Functions Virtualization

Published on: November 26, 2019

Area of Science:

Polymer Science
Materials Chemistry
Sustainable Materials

Background:

Conventional rubbers, while versatile, pose recycling challenges due to permanent cross-links.
Covalent adaptable networks (CANs) offer a solution with stimulus-responsive, reversible cross-links for enhanced recyclability.
Existing CANs often require catalysts, limiting their practical application.

Purpose of the Study:

To develop a catalyst-free method for creating recyclable polybutadiene-based rubbers using dynamic bonds.
To investigate the chemical and mechanical recyclability of these novel CANs.
To explore the incorporation of fillers and upcycling of rubber waste into these adaptable networks.

Main Methods:

Incorporation of dithioalkylidenes (catalyst-free associative dynamic bonds) into polybutadiene via olefin metathesis.
Cross-linking of modified polybutadiene with multiarmed thiols to form adaptable networks.
Chemical and mechanical recycling processes, including filler incorporation and modification of rubber waste.

Main Results:

The resulting CANs demonstrated significant recyclability, with toughness increasing up to 7-fold over three cycles.
Incorporation of fillers like carbon fiber and silica yielded reinforced composites, with fillers recoverable through chemical recycling.
Devulcanized rubber waste was successfully upcycled into mechanically recyclable composites with 90% recycled content.

Conclusions:

A novel, catalyst-free method for creating recyclable rubbers based on covalent adaptable networks has been established.
The developed materials exhibit enhanced mechanical properties and toughness through multiple recycling cycles.
This approach offers a sustainable pathway for upcycling rubber waste into high-value, reusable materials.