Magnetic-responsive triple shape memory polymer from bio-based benzoxazine/urethane polymer alloys with iron oxide nanoparticles

Abstract

Novel magnetic-responsive triple shape memory polymers (SMPs) derived from bio-based benzoxazine-urethane (V-fa/PU) polymer alloys containing iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe₃O₄ NPs) were developed in this work. Shape memory effect and curing behavior of the alloys were investigated at various bio-based PU contents. The polymerization of V-fa/PU polymer alloys with a heterogeneous network generated a broad glass transition temperature, which is a crucial feature for the development of triple SMPs. The influence of Fe₃O₄ NPs incorporation into the polymer nanocomposites on the SMP performance triggered by magnetic fields was also investigated. It was found that the addition of Fe₃O₄ NPs can enhance the dynamic mechanical properties and magnetic characteristics of the V-fa/PU polymer alloys thanks to the superparamagnetic property of Fe₃O₄ NPs. Moreover, the performance of the SMPs based on V-fa/PU polymer nanocomposites filled with Fe₃O₄ NPs showed high shape fixity of up to 98%, a shape recovery of 98%, and a recovering time of 8 s. Furthermore, bio-based V-fa/PU polymer alloys containing Fe₃O₄ NPs were developed as magnetic responsive triple SMPs with shape fixity in the range of 95–97% and shape recovery in the range of 85–95%. The results suggested that magnetic responsive triple SMPs from bio-based V-fa/PU polymer alloys filled with Fe₃O₄ NPs are promising candidate for advanced applications.