The effect of the incorporation of polystyrene-based chain extenders on the properties of the shape memory polyurethanes

In this work, the idea of modulating the shape memory properties of polyurethanes by changing their macromolecular architecture through the incorporation of polystyrene-based moieties was investigated. To study these effects, poly(styrene-co-maleic anhydride) (SMA) was incorporated during the synthesis of PU as a potential chain extender. Two sample groups were produced: (i) PU, produced with hydrazine as a chain extender and (ii) PUSMA, produced with the addition of SMA instead of hydrazine. The results suggest that the SMA incorporation in the PUSMA chains occurred by the reaction between NCO groups of the PU and maleic anhydride (MA) of the SMA. The presence of SMA was useful in modulating the structure of PU by reducing the soft segment crystallinity and molar mass. These changes in the structure and macromolecular architecture due to the presence of SMA moieties in PU chains led to pronounced improvements in strength, toughness, and the shape recovery ratio. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016, 133, 44471.