Synthesis and characterization of a novel biodegradable thermoplastic shape memory polymer

A novel poly(urethane-urea) shape memory polymer (PUU SMP) was synthesized from poly(DL-lactic acid) (PDLLA) Diols, hexamethylene diisocyanate(HDI) and butanediamine(BDA), aiming to develop a biodegradable and biocompatible shape memory polymer. Its structure, thermal properties and shape-memory behaviors were characterized through Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and bending test. The results showed that the response temperature for shape memory of PDLLA-PUU SMP is dependent on the polymeric glass transition temperature and this polymer has an excellent shape memory effect, having the ratio of the shape-memory fixation approximately 100% and the ratio of the shape-memory recovery about 98%. (C) 2008 Published by Elsevier B.V.