A series of polymers showing shape memory properties were developed based on polyalkenes derived from cyclooctene and related structures. These polymeric systems were synthesized via ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) using a well-defined ruthenium catalyst (Grubbs' type) by varying reaction conditions and proportions. Control over molecular weight was achieved by the inclusion of a chain transfer agent (CTA) and its influence on the behaviour of the obtained materials was evaluated. In order to provide them with shape memory behaviour the compounds were subjected to suitable chemical-thermal treatments and its characterization was accomplished by means of several techniques: differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA), etc. Thus polymers developed herein could become a different alternative to the most studied and commercially available polyurethane based systems.

Date Published: 1 November 2007
PDF: 7 pages
Proc. SPIE 6423, International Conference on Smart Materials and Nanotechnology in Engineering, 64231U (1 November 2007); doi: 10.1117/12.779665

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 6423:
International Conference on Smart Materials and Nanotechnology in Engineering
Shanyi Du; Jinsong Leng; Anand K. Asundi, Editor(s)