Shape-memory poly(p-dioxanone)–poly(ɛ-caprolactone)/sepiolite nanocomposites with enhanced recovery stress

Shape-memory poly(p-dioxanone)–poly(ɛ-caprolactone)/sepiolite (PPDO–PCL/OSEP) nanocomposites with different OSEP nanofiber loading were fabricated by chain-extending the PPDO-diol and PCL/OSEP precursors. The precursors and the composites were characterized by 1H NMR, FT-IR, GPC, SEM and TEM. The results demonstrate that a part of PCL segments grafted on the surface of OSEP and composites display a fine dispersion of OSEP fiber in nanoscale with low OSEP content. The shape memory effect (SME) was evaluated by DMA, the results reveal that the PPDO–PCL/OSEP nanocomposites exhibit desirable shape-memory performance. The reinforcement of composites by incorporation of trace OSEP nanofiber evokes an effective improvement in shape-memory recovery stress.

A series of shape-memory poly(p-dioxanone)–poly(ɛ-caprolactone)/sepiolite (PPDO–PCL/OSEP) nanocomposites with different OSEP nanofiber loading were fabricated by chain-extending PPDO-diol and PCL/OSEP precursors. The OSEP dispersed in PCL soft segment serves as netpoint of shape-memory composite as well as the reinforce filler, which evokes an effective improvement in shape-memory recovery stress.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide