New star-shape memory polyurethanes capable of thermally induced recovery and hydrogen bond-self-healing

Abstract

Shape memory polymers (SMPs) can be repeatedly deformed and recovered to their original shapes, and thus have been rapidly developed in recent decades. However, there remains an urgent need for SMPs with both shape memory and self-healing properties. Here, we report star-shaped memory polyurethanes that exhibit thermally responsive shape memory properties and self-healing properties, and maintain the shape memory properties after undergoing thermally induced self-healing. This work expands the current understanding of the hydrogen-bond interaction features in both thermally responsive and thermally-induced self-healing SMPs.