Novel Biodegradable Shape Memory Material Based on Partial Inclusion Complex Formation between α-Cyclodextrin and Poly(ε-caprolactone)

摘要

A novel shape memory material was prepared based on the formation of inclusion complexes between α-cyclodextrin (α-CD) and poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL); the PCL-α-CD inclusion crystallites serve as a fixing phase, while free PCL crystallites serve as a reversible phase. The characteristics of the material were investigated and a mechanism for the shape memory behavior was proposed. This material showed good shape memory properties, with the recovery ratio exceeding 90% and the recovery time being less than 6 s at 90 °C. This PCL-α-CD partial inclusion complex lost about 50% (47.4 ± 4.4%) weight within 45 days in presence of lipase, indicating its degradability. The shape memory and biodegradation properties of the well-designed polymer-α-CD complexes indicate great promise for this novel shape memory material.