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Applied Sciences
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Shape Memory Polymers
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Shape Memory Polymers

A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Materials Science and Engineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 October 2017) | Viewed by 30306

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Jinlian Hu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Biomedical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China
Interests: smart polymers; shape memory fibers; textiles; apparel; composites; digital evaluation; testing devices; textile engineering
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Xueliang Xiao

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Textiles and Clothing, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
Interests: smart fibers and textiles; elastomeric polymers; shape memory polymers; textiles; textile composites; fiber and textile sensors; wearable electronic device

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues, 

Polymers responsive to an external stimulus are smart materials adaptive to human demands. Among smart polymers, those with the shape memory effect (SME) are at the forefront of research in a broad range of explorations, leading to both strong academic interest and wide applications. Shape memory polymers (SMPs) are thusly named because of their ability to memorize shapes through programming processes using external stimuli, including temperature, electricity, magnetic, water, and chemical agents. SMPs have a unique netpoint-switch structure, where their permanent shapes are determined by netpoints and reversible bonds in the amorphous region as a switch leads to a temporary shape. In the past 20 years, we have seen great achievements in the fields from various aspects, from polymer synthesis, materials fabrication, novel and multi functions, and effective structures to versatile applications. In this Special Issue, we welcome original and review articles on any topic, including materials design, fabrication, new functions, as well as applications. 

Prof. Dr. Jin-lian Hu
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Xueliang Xiao
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Applied Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • Shape Memory
  • Stress Memory
  • Shape Change
  • Structure
  • Simulation
  • Multi-shape
  • Multi-function
  • Synthesis
  • Composites
  • Biopolymers

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

10 pages, 1935 KiB  
Article
Healable, Flexible Supercapacitors Based on Shape Memory Polymers
by Huankai Zhou, Hongsheng Luo, Xingdong Zhou, Huaquan Wang, Yangrong Yao, Wenjing Lin and Guobin Yi
Appl. Sci. 2018, 8(10), 1732; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app8101732 - 25 Sep 2018
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 3290
Abstract
Supercapacitors as novel and efficient energy storage devices could provide a higher power density and energy density compared to other electronics and devices. However, traditional supercapacitors are readily damaged, which leads to degraded performance or even failure. To make them more durable and [...] Read more.
Supercapacitors as novel and efficient energy storage devices could provide a higher power density and energy density compared to other electronics and devices. However, traditional supercapacitors are readily damaged, which leads to degraded performance or even failure. To make them more durable and efficient, healable flexible shape memory-based supercapacitors were unprecedentedly explored by a transfer process, in which the conductive nano-carbon networks were decorated with pseudocapacitance materials, followed by embedding them into a shape memory polymer matrix containing healing reagents. The composite exhibited flexibility, supercapacitance and self-healing capability originating from the shape memory effect and healing reagent. The morphologies, thermal, mechanical and capacitive properties, and the self-healability of the composite were investigated. In particular, the influence of the compositions on the healing efficiency was considered. The optimized composite exhibited good capacitance (27.33 mF cm−1), stability (only 4.08% capacitance loss after 1500 cycles) and healable property (up to 93% of the healing efficiency). The findings demonstrated how to endow the flexible polymeric electronics with healable bio-mimetic properties and may greatly benefit the application of intelligent polymers in the field of multi-functional electrical materials. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Shape Memory Polymers)
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7 pages, 1524 KiB  
Article
Shape Memory-Enhanced Electrical Self-Healing of Stretchable Electrodes
by Hongsheng Luo, Huaquan Wang, Huankai Zhou, Xingdong Zhou, Jinlian Hu, Guobin Yi, Zhifeng Hao and Wenjing Lin
Appl. Sci. 2018, 8(3), 392; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app8030392 - 07 Mar 2018
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 4859
Abstract
A novel shape memory-based self-healable stretchable electrode was explored by embedding the silver nanowires (AgNWs) network into a healable polymer matrix. Unlike the traditional shape memory-assisted self-healing, pre-stretching to the temporary shapes, which was fixed in a typical shape, memory thermo-mechanical programming significantly [...] Read more.
A novel shape memory-based self-healable stretchable electrode was explored by embedding the silver nanowires (AgNWs) network into a healable polymer matrix. Unlike the traditional shape memory-assisted self-healing, pre-stretching to the temporary shapes, which was fixed in a typical shape, memory thermo-mechanical programming significantly enhanced the thermo-triggered healing performance. The morphological as well as conduction variations during the healing process were investigated. The enhancing effect of the pre-stretching on the healing efficiency was emphasized, which was expected to attribute to the release of the pre-stored strain energy driving the closure of the scratch. The findings disclosed how to utilize the shape memory effect to improve the biomimetic properties for the stretchable electrodes, which may greatly benefit the application of the intelligent polymers in the field of multi-functional flexible electronics. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Shape Memory Polymers)
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2832 KiB  
Article
Synthesis and Properties of Shape Memory Poly(γ-Benzyl-l-Glutamate)-b-Poly(Propylene Glycol)-b-Poly(γ-Benzyl-l-Glutamate)
by Lin Gu, Yuanzhang Jiang and Jinlian Hu
Appl. Sci. 2017, 7(12), 1258; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app7121258 - 04 Dec 2017
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 5956
Abstract
Shape memory polymers (SMPs) have attracted much attention as an important class of stimuli-responsive materials for biomedical applications. For SMP-based biomaterials, in addition to suitable shape recovery performances, their mechanical properties, biodegradability, biocompatibility, and sterilizability needs to be considered. Polypeptides can satisfy the [...] Read more.
Shape memory polymers (SMPs) have attracted much attention as an important class of stimuli-responsive materials for biomedical applications. For SMP-based biomaterials, in addition to suitable shape recovery performances, their mechanical properties, biodegradability, biocompatibility, and sterilizability needs to be considered. Polypeptides can satisfy the requirements outlined above. However, there are few reports on shape memory polypeptides. In this paper, shape memory poly(γ-benzyl-l-glutamate) (PBLG-PPG-PBLG) was synthesized by ring-opening polymerization of γ-benzyl-l-glutamate-N-carboxyanhydrides (BLG-NCA) with poly(propylene glycol) bis(2-aminopropyl ether) as the macroinitiator. 1H Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) and Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) were used to characterize the structure of the obtained PBLG-PPG-PBLG. The FTIR analysis showed that PBLG-PPG-PBLG has α-helical and β-sheet structures. PBLG-PPG-PBLG has good shape memory properties, its shape recovery time is less than 120 s, and its shape recovery rate is 100%. In this study, we reported a simple synthetic method to obtain intelligent polypeptide materials, which will be used in many biomedical applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Shape Memory Polymers)
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1431 KiB  
Communication
Magnetic-Responsive Microparticles that Switch Shape at 37 °C
by Koichiro Uto and Mitsuhiro Ebara
Appl. Sci. 2017, 7(11), 1203; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app7111203 - 22 Nov 2017
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 5026
Abstract
Shape-memory polymers have seen tremendous research efforts driven by the need for better drug carries and biomedical devices. In contrast to these advancements, fabrication of shape-memory particles which actuate at body temperature remains scarce. We developed a shape-memory microparticle system with dynamically tunable [...] Read more.
Shape-memory polymers have seen tremendous research efforts driven by the need for better drug carries and biomedical devices. In contrast to these advancements, fabrication of shape-memory particles which actuate at body temperature remains scarce. We developed a shape-memory microparticle system with dynamically tunable shapes under physiological temperature. Temperature-responsive poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) microparticles were successfully prepared by an in situ oil-in-water (o/w) emulsion polymerization technique using linear telechelic and tetra-branched PCL macromonomers. By optimizing the mixing ratios of branched PCL macromonomers, the crystal-amorphous transition temperature was adjusted to the biological relevant temperature. The particles with a disk-like temporal shape were achieved by compression. The shape recovery from the disk to spherical shape was also realized at 37 °C. We also incorporated magnetic nanoparticles within the PCL microparticles, which can be remote-controllable by a magnet, in such a way that they can be actuated and manipulated in a controlled way. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Shape Memory Polymers)
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10477 KiB  
Article
Thermo-Responsive Shape-Memory Effect and Surface Features in Polycarbonate (PC)
by Xuelian Wu, Taoxi Wang, Weimin Huang and Yong Zhao
Appl. Sci. 2017, 7(8), 848; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app7080848 - 17 Aug 2017
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 5617
Abstract
The influence of programming strain and temperature on the shape memory effect and surface morphology in programmed polycarbonate (PC) samples via uni-axial stretching is investigated. It is found that the samples programmed at around the glass transition start temperature not only have micro-cracks [...] Read more.
The influence of programming strain and temperature on the shape memory effect and surface morphology in programmed polycarbonate (PC) samples via uni-axial stretching is investigated. It is found that the samples programmed at around the glass transition start temperature not only have micro-cracks on their surface, but also show a necking phenomenon. Furthermore, the surface of the necked area is concave, but the surface of the non-necked area is convex. On the other hand, despite the samples programmed at high temperatures being able to deform in a uniform manner at macroscopic scale, their surfaces are still uneven, either concave or convex. While the samples programmed at low temperatures are able to achieve full shape recovery, stretching at higher temperatures over the glass transition range to a higher strain may result in non-recoverable deformation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Shape Memory Polymers)
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3611 KiB  
Article
Thermal Sensitive Shape Memory Behavior of Epoxy Composites Reinforced with Silicon Carbide Whiskers
by Yongkun Wang, Wenchao Tian, Xiaohan Liu and Junjie Ye
Appl. Sci. 2017, 7(1), 108; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app7010108 - 21 Jan 2017
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 4773
Abstract
A novel shape memory polymer composite was fabricated by introducing various amounts of silicon carbide whiskers (SiCws) into a shape memory epoxy. The relationship between the thermomechanical properties of the system and structural changes were investigated via dynamic mechanical analysis, scanning electron microscopy, [...] Read more.
A novel shape memory polymer composite was fabricated by introducing various amounts of silicon carbide whiskers (SiCws) into a shape memory epoxy. The relationship between the thermomechanical properties of the system and structural changes were investigated via dynamic mechanical analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and bending tests. The results show that the bend strength of composites can improve by 64.1% when SiCw content reaches 12 wt %. The shape transition temperatures of SiCw/epoxy composites decreased slightly with the increase in SiCw content, but it was noted that all of the composites showed excellent shape memory properties. The shape fixity ratio increased as SiCw content increased (>99%), and the shape recovery ratio slightly decreased as SiCw content increased (>95%). All of the composites nearly recovered to their original shape within 2 min (not 100%), and the shape recovery speed significantly improved at a higher temperature. It is anticipated that tagging products will be used in the aerospace industry. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Shape Memory Polymers)
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