Polylactide-based polyurethane and its shape-memory behavior

A series of polylactide polyurethanes (PLAUs) were synthesized from poly(l-lactide) diols, hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI), and 1,4-butanediol (BDO). Their thermal and mechanical properties and shape-memory behavior were studied by infrared spectroscopy (IR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), wide angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD), tensile testing, and thermal mechanical analysis (TMA). The Tgs of these polymers were in the range of 33–53 °C, and influenced by the Mn of the PLA diol and the ratio of the soft-segment to the hard-segment. These materials can restore their shapes almost completely after 150% elongation or twofold compression. By changing the Mn of the PLA diol and the ratio of the hard-to-soft-segment, their Tgs and shape-recovery temperatures can be adjusted to the neighborhood of the body temperature. Therefore, these PLAUs are expected to find practical medical applications.