Preparation of self-healing shape memory polymer based on crystalline side chain

In this study, a new type of a brush polyurethane containing long carbon side chains is prepared using hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI), tetraethylene glycol (TEG), and a quaternized dihydroxyl glycol, which is previously synthesized from N-methyldiethanolamine (MDEA) and brominated alkanes. Results revealed that the brush-like polyurethane exhibits a good shape memory performance, with a shape recovery of 85%. The quaternization of long-chain alkanes onto tertiary ammonium nitrogen renders good self-healing properties to the brush polyurethane. Therefore, these thermal-induced self-healing properties are expected to make shape memory polyurethanes a good potential candidate for applications in smart coatings, smart surfaces, and other smart materials.