Next-generation vitrimer composites for future mobility: Balancing sustainability and functionality – A perspective

Vitrimer composites have been identified as a class of promising materials for future mobility applications, offering a unique balance between sustainability and functionality. These materials incorporate dynamic covalent bonds (DCBs), which enable recyclability, self-healing, and reprocessability while preserving the intrinsic mechanical, thermal and chemical properties of conventional thermosets. This review provides a systematic analysis of vitrimer composites, with a particular focus on their structural design, the influence of fillers on DCB dynamics, and their impact on key functional properties. Specifically, the study examines how network architecture, including cross-linking density and polymer-filler interactions, governs the viscoelastic behavior and reprocessability of vitrimer composites. Furthermore, the discussion addresses the role of epoxy, polyurethane, polyimide, and polybenzoxazine matrix in vitrimer composites, highlighting their mechanical strength, heat resistance, and electromagnetic interference shielding, all of which are critical for next-generation mobility technologies.