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Mechanically robust enzymatically degradable shape memory polyurethane urea with a rapid recovery response induced by
Xin Li1, Wenkai Liu, Yaomin Li
1College of Polymer Science and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China. jiehua_li@scu.edu.cn fengluo@scu.edu.cn.
Journal of Materials Chemistry. B
|May 16, 2020
Summary
Researchers developed biodegradable shape memory polyurethanes (SMPUs) with tunable properties and excellent shape memory effect (SME). Incorporating gold nanorods enabled rapid near-infrared triggered shape recovery, showing potential for medical devices.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Medical Device Engineering
Background:
- Biodegradable shape memory polymers (SMPs) are promising for minimally invasive surgery.
- Developing SMPs with adjustable mechanical properties and robust shape memory effect (SME) is crucial for advanced applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize and characterize novel shape memory polyurethanes (SMPUs) with tunable mechanical properties and SME.
- To investigate the incorporation of gold nanorods for enhanced, externally triggered shape recovery.
- To evaluate the potential of these composite materials for biodegradable expanding stents.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of SMPUs using a chymotrypsin-inspired chain extender and varying poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) molecular weights.
- Characterization via proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) spectroscopy, tensile testing, dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).
- Incorporation of gold nanorods and evaluation of near-infrared (NIR) triggered shape recovery.
Main Results:
- SMPUs with adjustable modulus (up to 115 MPa) were achieved by controlling PCL molecular weight and hard segment content.
- Modulus exhibited significant temperature-dependent changes (e.g., 50% increase for PCL4000-based SMPU from 23 °C to 37 °C).
- Excellent SME (shape fixity and recovery ratios near 100%) and rapid NIR-triggered shape recovery (23 s) were demonstrated for PU/gold-nanorod composites.
Conclusions:
- The developed SMPUs offer tunable mechanical properties and excellent shape memory performance.
- PU/gold-nanorod composites exhibit rapid, NIR-triggered shape recovery and enzymatic degradability.
- These advanced materials hold significant promise for biodegradable shape memory expanding stents in minimally invasive surgery.
