Processable, Tunable Thiol-ene Crosslinked Polyurethane Shape Memory Polymers
AssigneesLawrence Livermore National Security, LLC, The Texas A&M University System
InventorsKeith Hearon, Landon D. Nash, Thomas Wilson, Duncan J. Maitland, Mark A. Wierzbicki
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Abstract
An embodiment includes a platform shape memory polymer system. Such an embodiment exhibits a blend of tunable, high performance mechanical attributes in combination with advanced processing capabilities and good biocompatibility. A post-polymerization crosslinking synthetic approach is employed that combines polyurethane and thiol-ene synthetic processes. Other embodiments are described herein.
Claims2
A polymer composition comprising:
- crosslinkable alkene groups substantially regularly spaced along a polymer chain;
- and
- a polythiol crosslinker;
- wherein the composition is a thermoplastic and is configured so crosslinking the alkene groups with the polythiol crosslinker via a thiol-ene reaction forms a thermoset polymer having shape memory properties.
A method of manufacturing a polyurethane shape memory polymer composition, comprising the steps of:
- mixing a polyol monomer with a diisocyanate monomer;
- initiating polymerization of the polyol and diisocyanate monomers to form a thermoplastic polymer;
- blending the polymer with a polythiol crosslinking agent and initiator dopant;
- initiate crosslinking of the polymer, with at least one of light and heat, to form a crosslinked polymer;
- and
- curing the crosslinked polymer to form a thermoset polymer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.