Fast-responding bio-based shape memory thermoplastic polyurethanes

• Published in: Polymer (Guilford) Vol. 121; no. C; pp. 26 - 37
• Main Authors: Petrović, Zoran S., Milić, Jelena, Zhang, Fan, Ilavsky, Jan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 14.07.2017; Elsevier BV; Elsevier
• Subjects: Biocompatibility; Biodegradability; Biodegradation; Biomedical materials; Butane; Castor oil; Crystallization; Dielectric properties; Diphenyl methane; Diphenyl methane diisocyanate; Electrical properties; Elongation; Fatty acids; MATERIALS SCIENCE; Mechanical properties; Methane; Phase separation; Polyols; Polyurethane; Polyurethane resins; Properties; Shape memory; Small angle X ray scattering; Synthesis; Transition temperatures; Urethane thermoplastic elastomers; X-ray scattering; Shape-memory; Synthesis; Properties; Polyurethane; synthesis; shape-memory; polyurethane; properties
• ISSN: 0032-3861; 1873-2291
• DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2017.05.072

Novel fast-responding shape-memory polyurethanes were prepared from bio-based polyols, diphenyl methane diisocyanate and butane diol for the first time. The bio-based polyester polyols were synthesized from 9-hydroxynonanoic acid, a product obtained by ozonolysis of fatty acids extracted from soy oil and castor oil. The morphology of polyurethanes was investigated by synchrotron ultra-small angle X-ray scattering, which revealed the inter-domain spacing between the hard and soft phases, the degree of phase separation, and the level of intermixing between the hard and soft phases. We also conducted thorough investigations of the thermal, mechanical, and dielectric properties of the polyurethanes, and found that high crystallization rate of the soft segment gives these polyurethanes unique properties suitable for shape-memory applications, such as adjustable transition temperatures, high degree of elastic elongations, and good mechanical strength. These materials are also potentially biodegradable and biocompatible, therefore suitable for biomedical and environmental applications. [Display omitted] •Novel shape-memory TPUs prepared with soy-oil and caster-oil based polyols.•Fast-responding TPUs have tunable transition temperatures near body temperature.•TPUs have high degree of elastic elongation and good mechanical strength.•SAXS models elucidate impact of phase-separation morphology on materials performance.•Renewable TPUs also potentially biodegradable and biocompatible.