Photopolymerized thiol-ene systems as shape memory polymers

Devatha P. Nair, Neil B. Cramer, Timothy F. Scott, Christopher N. Bowman, Robin Shandas

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleResearchpeer-review

125 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

In this study we introduce the use of thiol-ene photopolymers as shape memory polymer systems. The thiol-ene polymer networks are compared to a commonly utilized acrylic shape memory polymer and shown to have significantly improved properties for two different thiol-ene based polymer formulations. Using thermomechanical and mechanical analysis, we demonstrate that thiol-ene based shape memory polymer systems have comparable thermomechanical properties while also exhibiting a number of advantageous properties due to the thiol-ene polymerization mechanism which results in the formation of a homogeneous polymer network with low shrinkage stress and negligible oxygen inhibition. The resulting thiol-ene shape memory polymer systems are tough and flexible as compared to the acrylic counterparts. The polymers evaluated in this study were engineered to have a glass transition temperature between 30 and 40. °C, exhibited free strain recovery of greater than 96% and constrained stress recovery of 100%. The thiol-ene polymers exhibited excellent shape fixity and a rapid and distinct shape memory actuation response.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)4383-4389
Number of pages7
JournalPolymer
Volume51
Issue number19
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2010
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Photopolymer
  • Shape memory polymer
  • Thiol-ene

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