Shape-memory bionanocomposites based on chitin nanocrystals and thermoplastic polyurethane with a highly crystalline soft segment - Archive ouverte HAL Access content directly
Journal Articles Biomacromolecules Year : 2013

Shape-memory bionanocomposites based on chitin nanocrystals and thermoplastic polyurethane with a highly crystalline soft segment

A. Saralegi
  • Function : Author
Susana C.M. Fernandes
A. Alonso-Varona
  • Function : Author
T. Palomares
  • Function : Author
E.J. Foster
  • Function : Author
C. Weder
  • Function : Author
A. Eceiza
  • Function : Author
M.A. Corcuera
  • Function : Author

Abstract

Shape-memory bionanocomposites based on a naturally sourced segmented thermoplastic polyurethane and chitin nanocrystals were synthesized, and their mechanical properties and thermally activated shape-memory behavior were studied. The chitin nanocrystals were incorporated during the synthesis of the prepolymer made from a castor oil-based difunctional polyol and hexamethylene diisocyanate. The polymerization was completed by addition of propanediol, as a corn-sugar based chain extender, bringing the weight content of components from renewable resources to >60%. Thermal analysis of the bionanocomposites revealed a phase-separated morphology, which is composed of soft and hard domains, which bestow the material with two melting transitions at 60 and 125 C, that are exploitable for a shape memory effect. The soft segment is responsible for temporary shape fixing, while the hard segment crystallites are responsible for the permanent shape. The introduction of small amounts (0.25-2 wt %) of chitin nanocrystals was found to increase the crystallinity of the hard segment by way of nucleation, which in turn improves the shape recovery considerably. The thermally activated shape-memory behavior of the synthesized bionancomposites is exploitable with a programming and release temperature of 60 C. The materials display good in vitro cell response, as shown by short-term cytotoxicity assays, and therefore, the bionanocomposites appear to be potentially useful for biomedical applications. © 2013 American Chemical Society.

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Polymers
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Dates and versions

hal-01600473 , version 1 (02-10-2017)

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A. Saralegi, Susana C.M. Fernandes, A. Alonso-Varona, T. Palomares, E.J. Foster, et al.. Shape-memory bionanocomposites based on chitin nanocrystals and thermoplastic polyurethane with a highly crystalline soft segment. Biomacromolecules, 2013, 14 (12), pp.4475-4482. ⟨10.1021/bm401385c⟩. ⟨hal-01600473⟩
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