ABSTRACT Motivated by the global carbon neutrality objective and the need for sustainable development, the advancement of materials exhibiting self‐healing properties, recyclability, and multifunctional integration has emerged as a prominent area of research. This paper systematically reviews recent advancements in third‐generation polymer Vitrimer and fiber reinforced Vitrimer‐based composites (V‐FRP), which exhibit both thermoplastic and thermosetting properties, focusing on structural design, performance optimization, and intelligent applications. Initially, the environmental aging mechanisms and failure behaviors of traditional fiber‐reinforced polymer composites under various coupled service conditions are analyzed. Subsequently, an in‐depth analysis of the design principles governing various dynamic covalent bonds within Vitrimer is presented. Furthermore, by leveraging molecular dynamics simulation and machine learning techniques, the structure–activity relationships are revealed, endowing the material with self‐repairing, reshaping, and recycling capabilities. The discussion also encompasses strategies aimed at improving the comprehensive performance of V‐FRP through nanomaterial reinforcement, interface self‐repair engineering, and multifunctional integration strategies. Finally, the challenges currently encountered by V‐FRP in large‐scale applications and sustainable recycling were summarized. Additionally, future research directions were proposed, offering theoretical support for the advancement of the next generation of high‐performance, long‐lasting, and adaptive composite materials.
Sun et al. (Sun,) studied this question.