Fully Biobased Shape Memory Thermoplastic Vulcanizates from Poly(Lactic Acid) and Modified Natural Eucommia Ulmoides Gum with Co-Continuous Structure and Super Toughness
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Updated: Jan 2, 2026

Fabrication of a Bioactive, PCL-based "Self-fitting" Shape Memory Polymer Scaffold
Published on: October 23, 2015
Yan Wang1, Jinhui Liu1, Lin Xia1
1Key Laboratory of Rubber-Plastics, Ministry of Education/Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Rubber-Plastics, School of Polymer Science and Engineering, Qingdao University of Science and Technology, Qingdao 266042, China.
Abstract:
Novel, fully biobased shape memory thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPVs) were prepared using two sustainable biopolymers, poly(lactic acid) (PLA), and modified natural Eucommia ulmoides gum (EUG-g-GMA), via a dynamic vulcanization technique. Simultaneously, in situ compatibilization was achieved in the TPVs to improve interfacial adhesion and the crosslinked modified Eucommia ulmoides gum (EUG) was in "netlike" continuous state in the PLA matrix to form "sea-sea" phase structure. The promoted interface and co-continuous structure played critical roles in enhancing shape memory capacity and toughness of the TPVs. The TPV with 40 wt % modified EUG displayed the highest toughness with an impact strength of 54.8 kJ/m2 and the most excellent shape memory performances with a shape fixity ratio (R) of 99.83% and a shape recovery ratio (R) of 93.74%. The prepared shape memory TPVs would open up great potential applications in biobased shape memory materials for smart medical devices.
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