Stress-Free Two-Way Shape Memory Effect of Poly(ethylene glycol)/Poly(ε-caprolactone) Semicrystalline Networks

In this work, poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)/poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) semicrystalline networks were prepared by photo-cross-linking of methacrylated macromonomers with different molecular weights and in proportions to obtain amphiphilic materials capable displaying properly designed shape memory effects. Networks based on PCL 10 kDa PEG 3 showed suitable thermal mechanical properties well-separated crystallization melting regions achieve a self-standing two-way effect. Particularly, after the application specific thermomechanical history, these are cyclically changing their between two configurations upon cooling–heating cycles absence any external load applied. The effect composition employed parameters, such as applied strain actuation temperature, was investigated shed light mechanism for class materials, which considered promising applications biomedical field reversible actuators soft robotics.