Designing self-crosslinkable ternary blends using epoxidized natural rubber (ENR)/poly(ethylene-co-acrylic acid)(EAA)/poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) demonstrating triple-shape memory behavior

The aim of this work is developing a facile and versatile route for preparing chemically crosslinked triple-shape memory polymers (SMPs). Hence, epoxidized natural rubber(ENR)/poly(ethylene-co-acrylic acid)(EAA)/poly (epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) ternary blends were fabricated using the facile melt-mixing method. Interestingly, it was observed that the resultant ternary blends could self-crosslink during molding at high temperature without need for any crosslinking agents. Differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) and dynamic mechanical analyzer (DMA) analyses revealed that all of the ternary blends have two well-separated thermal transitions (T-m, (PCL) and T-m, (EAA)) and, as a result, they exhibited triple-SM behavior. Moreover, the mechanical properties as well as shape memory effect of ternary blends were improved with carboxylation of PCL. The developed ternary blends can be considered as a promising SM material in many in-vivo and aerospace applications.

Automated summary

This work aims to develop a facile and versatile method for preparing chemically crosslinked triple-shape memory polymers. Ternary blends of ENR/EAA/PCL were fabricated using the melt-mixing method and were observed to self-crosslink during molding at high temperatures. These ternary blends exhibited good mechanical properties and shape memory effects, especially after carboxylation of PCL.