Effect of the addition of diurethane dimethacrylate on the chemical and mechanical properties of tBA-PEGDMA acrylate based shape memory polymer network

• Published in: Journal of the mechanical behavior of biomedical materials Vol. 110; p. 103951
• Main Authors: Jerald Maria Antony, G., Raja, S., Aruna, S.T., Jarali, Chetan S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier Ltd 01-10-2020
• Subjects: Acrylates; Diurethane dimethacrylate; Materials Testing; Methacrylates; Polyethylene Glycols; Smart Materials; Transparent; Urethane - analogs & derivatives; Young's modulus; Transparent; Young's modulus; Diurethane dimethacrylate
• ISSN: 1751-6161; 1878-0180
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2020.103951

There is a great demand for the synthesis of acrylate based thermoset shape memory polymer (SMP) associated with one monomer and one crosslinker such as tert-butyl acrylate (t-BA) with poly (ethylene glycol) dimethacrylate (PEGDMA). The present work describes the synthesis of a new thermoset SMP wherein a second monomer such as diurethane dimethacrylate (DUDMA) has been added to the existing tBA + PEGDMA SMP matrix. The synthesized thermoset shape memory polymer exhibited a glass transition temperature (Tg) of 55 °C, higher Young's Modulus of 3.23 GPa, transmittance of 95% and 100% shape recovery. The SMP exhibited response to both thermal and chemical stimuli. The shape recovery rate of the SMP network is 20 s compared to 24 s observed for SMP based on tBA + PEGDMA. The obtained SMP is very transparent and possesses higher stiffness (8 MPa) and hence may be suitable for biomedical shape memory lens and orthopedic application.
•Synthesis of a new biodegradable shape memory polymer by adding DUDMA.•Complete shape recovery achieved for acrylate-based shape memory polymer system.•Shape recovery rate is very less (20 s).•Young's modulus (3.23 GPa) equivalent to aircraft grade bisphenol-A diglycidyl ether epoxy resin system.•Transparent films suitable for optical applications.