Effect of Crosslinker Length and Composition on the Hydrophobicity and Thermomechanical Response of Acrylate-Based Shape-Memory Polymers

Chemical and mechanical experiments are reported to elucidate the macroscopic effects of crosslinker length and composition on the thermomechanical response of acrylate-based SMPs. To this end, EGA-based formulations underwent a battery of basic tests which revealed that by increasing crosslinker chain length, polymer T-g can be decreased but there will be increases in compliance, step recoverability, and damping in a glassy state. Addition of methacrylate groups can cause increases in swelling, T-g, storage modulus in shorter chains, and greater damping at a rubbery state. All tested polymers exhibited mild hydrophilicity. PEGDA formulations exhibited good recoverability and could be an option for vascular applications.