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The two-way shape memory behaviour of semicrystalline networks was investigated on systems based on poly(ε-caprolactone) featuring significantly different network architecture. Crosslinked poly(ε-caprolactone)s were prepared by thermal curing from methacrylic end-capped linear chains having various methacrylation degrees. By conveniently reducing the methacrylation degree, the crosslink density of cured materials was varied over a range of one order of magnitude, leading to comparable changes in the material compliance in the rubbery region, but only to moderate variations in melting and crystallization temperatures (Tm and Tc) and in the crystallinity content. When subjected to constant non-zero stress and to cooling–heating cycles from above Tm to below Tc, the materials undergo a reversible two-way elongation–contraction effect, whose extent depends on material structure and applied stress. The structural changes in the crystalline phase accompanying the cooling-induced elongation were studied through differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffraction analyses. The elongation process involves different contributions of entropy- and crystallization-driven processes, whose amounts were investigated as a function of the loading conditions and the molecular architecture. The role of the network density towards a controlled two-way response is evidenced, showing that a proper value of the crosslink density has to be identified to maximize the two-way elongation capabilities.

Nonwoven fibrous mats based on semicrystalline networks are prepared starting from poly(ε-caprolactone) and properly combining electrospinning and sol–gel reactions. The mats are obtained as continuous, randomly oriented micrometric fibers with different network densities. The systems are subjected to thermomechanical cycles to investigate their one-way and two-way shape memory behavior. One-way tests aim at exploring the effects of the deformation temperature on the materials response, with particular interest to the less investigated cold-working conditions (i.e., deformation temperature below Tm). The materials display two-way shape memory capabilities (i.e., the ability to change between two distinguished shapes upon heating and cooling under a fixed nonzero stress) and the effect of the applied stress is explored. The shape memory characterization is accompanied by an ex situ SEM analysis, to describe the concurrent microstructural evolution during the macroscopic shape variation, and by the assessment of their biocompatibility, to explore the suitability of the nonwovens for biomedical applications. (Figure presented.).

Non-woven fibrous mats based on semicrystalline networks were prepared starting from poly(ε-caprolactone) and by combining electrospinning process and sol-gel crosslinking reaction. The mats were subjected to proper thermo-mechanical cycles to investigate their two-way shape memory capabilities (i.e. the possibility to change between two distinguished shapes upon heating and cooling), and an improvement of the two-way behaviour was researched through the application of a training cycle. An ex-situ SEM analysis described the microstructural evolution accompanying the two-way shape memory cyclic response.

Poly(e-caprolactone)-based non-woven fibrous mats showing excellent one-way shape memory properties were obtained through a straightforward approach by combining electrospinning process and sol–gel reaction. A solution of partially crosslinked α,ω-triethoxysilane-terminated poly(e-caprolactone) was used to obtain bead-free fibers through electrospinning. Non-woven mats with different crosslinking degrees have been prepared and the effect of the different crosslinking extent and of the microfibrous structure were correlated to the mechanical and shape memory properties of the material. The evolution of fiber architecture within the non-woven mat following deformation and shape memory cycles was also investigated.