Reconfigurable surface patterns on covalent adaptive network polymers using nanoimprint lithography

Covalent adaptable networks (CANs) are cross-linked polymers capable of relieving internal stresses by reconfiguring their network topology. Specifically, reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) is a mechanism by which covalent bonds are exchanged to relieve internal stresses. While stress relaxation in such systems has been studied in bulk materials, here, we characterize the ability of RAFT-based CANs to undergo direct mechano-patterning of sub-micron surface topologies via nanoimprint lithography. The effects that different imprinting parameters and material properties have on the achievable surface pattern geometries are investigated, and we provide the first demonstration of permanent sub-micron surface reconfiguration on crosslinked polymers, which exhibit features orders of magnitude smaller than any previously published. [Display omitted] •Surface pattern reconfiguration is achieved in polymer networks.•Nanoimprint lithography (NIL) is used to deform the polymer network.•A series of RAFT-based covalent adaptive network polymers were examined.•The degree of reconfiguration depends on NIL parameters and network properties.