Fabrication of poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL)/poly(propylene carbonate) (PPC)/ethylene-alpha-octene block copolymer (OBC) triple shape memory blends with cycling performance by constructing a co-continuous phase morphology

摘要

In this paper, a triple shape memory material was prepared by ultra-simple melt blending from poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL), poly(propylene carbonate) (PPC) and ethylene-alpha-octene block copolymer (OBC). The obtained material possessed a co-continuous phase morphology and presented an excellent triple shape memory effect (triple-SME). Theoretical prediction demonstrated that a special continuous phase morphology could be constructed by adjusting the proportions of the blend. Moreover, the results indicated that a close relationship existed between the phase morphology and the triple-SME of PCL/PPC/OBC. The sample with 35 vol% PPC content contributed to the formation of a continuous phase morphology and exhibited the optimal triple-SME. Additionally, the sample PCL/PPC/OBC (32.5/35/32.5) showed outstanding structure and performance stability during cycle loading-unloading tests, which evidenced the prominent cycling shape memory property (nearly 100% shape fixing and recovery of temporary shape). Overall, this work could provide an efficient, convenient and recyclable method to obtain high-performance shape memory materials. (c) 2020 Society of Chemical Industry