Synthesis and properties of shape memory poly(aryl ether ketone)s

Abstract Thermally responsive shape memory polymers have received great attention in the fields of biomedicine and aerospace. A new type of thermoplastic shape memory polymer with excellent mechanical and thermal properties was synthesized. A new reactable monomer with flexible alkyl chain was first designed and synthesized, then introducing it into the main chain structure of poly(aryl ether ketone)s. The alternating chain structure of the soft and hard segments and the H-Bonding between the carboxyl groups on the side chains both serve as physical cross-linking points in the polymer network, thereby imparting shape memory properties to the polymers. Polymers with more flexible segments exhibit better shape memory performance in terms of high shape fixing ratio and high shape recovery ratio.