Preparation, Characterization, and Mechanism for Biodegradable and Biocompatible Polyurethane Shape Memory Elastomers

Thermally induced shape memory is an attractive feature of certain functional materials. Among the shape memory polymers, shape memory elastomers (SMEs) especially those with biodegradability have great potential in the biomedical field. In this study, we prepared waterborne biodegradable polyurethane SME based on poly(e-caprolactone) (PCL) oligodiol and poly(l-lactic acid) (PLLA) oligodiol as the mixed soft segments. The ratio of the soft segments in polyurethanes was optimized for shape memory behavior. The thermally induced shape memory mechanism of the series of polyurethanes was clarified using differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). In particular, the in situ SAXS measurements combined with shape deformation processes were employed to examine the stretch-induced (oriented) crystalline structure of the polyurethanes and to elucidate the unique mechanism for shape memory properties. The polyurethane with optimized PLLA crystalline segm...