CHEMISTRY ASSIGNMENT

A Report On
Shape Memory
Polymers(SMPs)
 About Shape Memory Polymers
• Shape memory Polymers(abbreviated as SMPs) are
polymeric smart materials.

• They have the ability to return to from a deformed state to

their original state through external stimuli such as
temperature, electric or magnetic fields, light or certain
solutions.

• Shape memory polymers can store upto a maximum of

three shapes(generally two).

Thermally Induced Shape Memory

Effect

• The polymer has two states: Temporary and Permanent.

• The polymer is first moulded into its temporary state. The

polymer maintains this shape till it is acted upon by a
predetermined external stimulus(here temperature).

• The attain the permanent state, the temperature must

exceed the materials highest transition temperature to
establish crosslinks responsible for permanent shape.

• The transition temperature of a material is responsible for

 its transition state(sometimes glass transition
temperature,Tg).

Preparation of Shape Memory

Polyurethanes

• Several linear block polymers can be used as SMPs such

as polyurethanes, PET, PEO,etc.

• Linear block polymers are prepared by Anionic

Polymerisation method.

• Shape memory polyurethane(SMPU) is prepared by

prepolymer method. A diisocyanate compound (generally
aromatic, such as toluene diisocyanante(TDI),etc) is
reacted with macroglycol(aliphatic diols or polyols with
molecular wieght between 400 -500 g/mol) to form a
prepolymer. Longer te macroglycol molecule the more
elastic or soft the SMPU becomes.

• The prepolymer is reacted with low molecular weight

diols, diamines or amino alcohols(known as chain
extenders are added to increase chain length and
 molecular weight. Amine chain extenders react rapidly to
form crosslinks.

Applications

• Industrial: Shape Memory foams are used in building

industry. For example, foams that expand with warmth to
seal window frames.
• Medical:

1. Thermo-responsive SMP-based mechanical clot

extraction devices to treat ischemic stroke.

2. Biodegradable SMPU sutures and dental braces.

• Textile: Functions of SMP films in textile industry include

water proofing, water vapour permeability(WVP), UV
protection, etc.

• Space: SMPs are used in solar paddles due to their

resistance to space environment.