Synthesis of PLA-based thermoplastic elastomer and study on preparation and properties of PLA-based shape memory polymers

Abstract

As a new functional polymer material, shape memory polymer (SMP) has many advantages, and can be widely used in medical devices, textiles, aerospace and other fields. For thermal response SMPs, temporary deformation can be stored under external force above T g with a rapid cooling down to below T g or T m , and when heated again to the critical temperature point, they return to their original shape. In this paper, shape memory poly (lactic acid) (PLA) block copolymers were prepared from a chain extension reaction of PLA with poly(ε-caprolactone) diol (PCL-OH). Using hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI) as a chain extender, the molecular weight of the prepolymer could be greatly increased by melt chain extension. Polylactic acid thermoplastic elastomer (PLAE) synthesized by chain extension reaction is soft and tough, similar to thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). Polylactic acid-based shape memory polymers with good shape memory properties can be obtained by blending PLAE with PLA. The shape memory property test showed that the polylactic acid-based shape memory polymer was successfully prepared, and the recovery rate of the polylactic acid-based shape memory polymer could reach to approximately 80%. Besides, we also did thermal and microstructural analysis of the blend material. Due to their good biocompatibility and biodegradability, PLAE and PLA/PLAE will have potential applications in biomedical implant materials, engineering plastics, and textiles.

Dual-Phase Poly(lactic acid)/Poly(hydroxybutyrate)-Rubber Copolymer as High-Performance Shape Memory Materials

“…Notably, high shape fixity is crucial for maintaining its temporary shape in the medical devices during applications . Similar findings of low shape fixity of 68–82% were subsequently reported by both Jing et al and Lai et al in their immiscible PLA/TPU blend. , Moreover, the high shape transition temperature ( T trans ) used in this research was also undesirable in biomedical applications. − In another approach, the incorporation of compatibilizers such as CNCs, inorganic CNTs, graphene, and others , was employed to improve the miscibility and overall SMP performance. Even so, the resultant SMP often show reduced strain performance and a tedious preparation process.…”

Shape memory elastomers: A review of synthesis, design, advanced manufacturing, and emerging applications

“…The LCE fibers can expand and return to the initial configuration again when the temperature reduces. Smart textile with shape memory behaviors can also be generated using other elastomeric systems, as reported by Ji et al 208 and Haines et al 209…”

Biobased polyurethanes for biomedical applications

“…Thus, the research has been focused on designing PUs with such properties. Biobased PLA [ 299 , 300 ]- and vegetable oil [ 297 , 301 , 302 ]-based polyols are pertinent choices to synthesize renewable SMPUs. Moreover, polysaccharides have also been studied as multi-branched polyols [ 303 ], as well as biobased polycarbonate diol [ 304 ] and polyester polyols like PGS diol [ 295 ], PEA and PBA diols [ 305 ].…”