Shape memory polymers with silicon-containing segments.

Thermoresponsive shape memory polymers are stimuli-responsive materials whose shape is modulated by heat. They have been investigated as smart materials in a variety of biomedical, industrial and aerospace applications. The vast majority of shape memory polymers have been limited to those prepared from organic polymers. In this present work, shape memory polymers comprised of inorganic silicon-containing polymer segments (polydimethylsiloxane, PDMS) and organic poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) segments were developed. Because of its low T _g, PDMS served as a highly effective soft segment. The photochemical cure of diacrylated PCL _n -block-PDMS₃₇-block-PCL _n macromers with tailored PCL segment lengths produced networks with excellent mechanical properties, shape fixity, and shape recovery.