Impact of poly(ɛ‐caprolactone) architecture on the thermomechanical and shape memory properties. Issue 20 (25th July 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Deshmukh, Prashant; Yoon, Hyeongho; Cho, Seungwan; Yoon, Sook Young; Zore, Omkar V.; Kim, Taeyoon; Chung, Ildoo; Ahn, Suk‐Kyun; Kasi, Rajeswari M.
• Is Part Of: Journal of polymer science. Volume 55:Issue 20(2017)
• Page Start: 3424
• Page End: 3433
• Publication Date: 2017-07-25
• Subjects: brush polymer -- ROMP -- shape memory polymer; 547
• DOI: 10.1002/pola.28721
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0887-624X

Abstract

ABSTRACT: We report the synthesis of linear‐ and brush‐type poly( ɛ ‐caprolactone) (PCL) networks and investigate their thermal, mechanical, and shape memory behavior. Brush‐PCLs are prepared by ring‐opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) of a norbornenyl‐functionalized ɛ ‐caprolactone macromonomer (MM‐PCL) of different molecular weights. The linear analog, diacrylate end‐functionalized PCL (linear‐PCL), having comparable molecular weight of side chain of brush‐PCL is also synthesized. These polymers are thermally cured by a radical initiator in the presence of poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate crosslinker. Thermal and linear viscoelastic properties as well as shape memory performance of the resulting PCL networks are investigated, and are significantly impacted by the PCL architecture. Therefore, our work highlights that tailoring macromolecular architecture is useful strategy to manipulate thermal, mechanical, and resulting shape memory properties. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem.2017, 55, 3424–3433 Abstract : Thermal and linear viscoelastic properties as well as shape memory performance of the linear‐ and brush‐poly( ɛ ‐caprolactone)s are investigated, and are significantly impacted by the poly( ɛ ‐caprolactone) architecture. The brush‐PCL—network offering soft rubbery modulus, excellent shape fixing/recovery capabilities, and biocompatibility—may enable interesting applications in developing soft morphing devices in biomedical and tissue engineering.