Azo-Functionalized Thermoplastic Polyurethane for Light-Driven Shape Memory Materials.

Journal: Macromolecular rapid communications
PMID: 36350231

Abstract

Shape memory polymers have great potential in the fields of soft robotics, injectable medical devices, and as essential materials for advanced electronic devices. Herein, light-triggered shape-memory thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) is reported using azido TPU grafted by the photoswitchable azo compound. The trans-cis transitions of the azobenzene on the side chain of the TPU induce the recoiling of the main chain, leading to shaping memory behavior. Under UV irradiation, cis-azo allows the oriented main chain to recoil to release residual stress and realize light-triggered shape memory behavior. The facile method proposed here for the preparation of azo-functionalized TPU can provide viable opportunities for soft robotics and smart TPU applications.

Authors

  • Baohai Pan
    Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, College of Engineering, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, 34134, Republic of Korea.
  • Soon Mo Park
    Graduate School of Nanoscience and Technology, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea.
  • Wu Bin Ying
    Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo, Zhejiang, 315201, P. R. China.
  • Dong Ki Yoon
    Graduate School of Nanoscience and Technology, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea.
  • Kyung Jin Lee
    Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, College of Engineering, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, 34134, Republic of Korea.

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