PEEK modified PLA shape memory blends: towards enhanced mechanical and deformation properties

Polylactic acid (PLA) is one of the most promising shape memory polymers with outstanding biocompatibility, while poly(ether ether ketone) (PEEK) is a special engineering plastic with excellent mechanical performance. In this work, PEEK was selected to modify PLA, and a series of PLA blended with different PEEK contents (PLA/PEEK blends) were obtained. The effects of PEEK on thermodynamic, mechanical and shape memory properties of PLA/PEEK blends were investigated. The results showed that the thermal stability of the PLA/PEEK blend was improved with the PEEK content increase. The tensile strength reached the highest value of 20.6 MPa when the PEEK content was 10%. While the best shape memory performance occurred with the PEEK content of 15%, the shape recovery time was less than 2 s, and the shape fixation/recovery ratio was more than 99%. Furthermore, the programmable mimetic flower opening process was achieved by using PLA/PEEK blends with different PEEK content ratios. The above results indicated that the blend of an appropriate proportion of PEEK had positive effects on mechanical and deformation performances of PLA.