Thermoplastic shape memory polymers with tailor-made trigger temperature

Abstract

Thermoplastic shape memory polymers (SMPs) as smart materials have a great challenge in adjusting trigger temperature (Tt) for practical device application with high fixity and recovery ratio (>99%). The thermoplastic SMPs based on triblock copolymers have been designed via reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) emulsion polymerization. The Tt can be manipulated facilely, as designed, with the narrow temperature interval between adjacent Tts (only 10°C), indicating the high resolution of temperature in molecular design of SMPs. The as-designed SMPs have good shape memory ability and the reprogramming ability of shape memory behaviors. This approach can direct the molecular design of thermoplastic SMPs with tailor-made Tt via RAFT emulsion polymerization.