Bio-Based, Self-Healing, Recyclable, Reconfigurable Multifunctional Polymers with Both One-Way and Two-Way Shape...

Area of Science:

• Polymer Science
• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Shape memory polymers (SMPs) are crucial for advanced applications but rarely achieve multiple properties like self-healing and recyclability simultaneously.
• Existing SMPs often lack a combination of excellent self-healing, recyclability, solid-state plasticity, and reversible shape-switching.
• There is a need for novel SMPs that integrate these desirable characteristics for broader technological adoption.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop multifunctional shape memory polymers (SMPs) with integrated self-healing, recyclability, and shape-switching capabilities.
• To utilize sustainable raw materials, specifically *Eucommia ulmoides* gum, for constructing dynamic polymer networks.
• To explore the potential of these SMPs in various applications, including photoresponsive devices.

Main Methods:

• Constructing a dynamic boronic ester bond cross-linking network using *Eucommia ulmoides* gum.
• Investigating thermal-triggered one-way and two-way shape memory properties based on crystallization and melting range.
• Incorporating multiwalled carbon nanotubes to achieve near-infrared light responsiveness.
• Evaluating self-healing efficiency, shape reconfigurability, and chemical recyclability.

Main Results:

• The developed SMPs exhibit both one-way and two-way shape memory effects under thermal or mechanical stimuli.
• Excellent self-healing properties (near 100% at 80 °C) and chemical recyclability were achieved due to the dynamic boronic ester bonds.
• The composite material, incorporating carbon nanotubes, demonstrated responsiveness to 808 nm near-infrared light.
• Demonstrated applications include photoresponsive actuators, vascular stents, and light-driven switches.

Conclusions:

• Multifunctional SMPs were successfully fabricated using a sustainable dynamic boronic ester network.
• The materials possess a unique combination of shape memory, self-healing, reconfigurability, and recyclability.
• The incorporation of carbon nanotubes enables photoresponsive behavior, expanding application possibilities in biomedicine, sensing, and soft robotics.