Helmholtz-zentrum Geesthacht Zentrum Fuer Material- Und Kuestenforschung Gmbh

Joerg Zotzmann

Andreas Lendlein

Karl Kratz

Marc Behl

Tilman Sauter

Srinivasa Reddy Chaganti

Ulrich Noechel

Yakai Feng

The present invention relates to an article consisting of or comprising a bidirectional shape-memory polymer (bSMP), the bSMP comprising: first phase-segregated domains (AD) having a first transition temperature (T) corresponding to a crystallization transition or glass transition of the first domains (AD), second phase-segregated domains (SD) having a second transition temperature (T) corresponding to a crystallization transition or glass transition of the second domains (SD), the second transition temperature (T) being higher than the first transition temperature (T), and covalent or physical bonds cross-linking the polymer chains of the bSMP, and in this way interconnecting the first and second domains (AD, SD), wherein the second phase-separated domains (SD) form a skeleton which is at least partially embedded in the first phase-segregated domains (AD), and wherein polymer chain segments of the bSMP forming the first domains (AD) are substantially orientated in a common direction, such that the bSMP is able to undergo a reversible shape-shift between a first shape (A) at a first temperature (T) and a second shape (B) at a second temperature (T) upon variation of temperature between the first and second temperature (T, T) driven by the crystallization and melting or vitrification and melting of the first phase-separated domains (AD) and without application of an external stress, with T&#x3c;T&#x3c;T&#x3c;T.

Bidirectional shape-memory polymer, method of its production and its use

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Berlin, Germany

Joerg Zotzmann