Synthesis, shape-memory functionality and hydrolytical degradation studies on polymer networks from poly(rac-lactide)b-poly(propylene oxide)-b-poly(rac-lactide) dimethacrylates

The synthesis, shape-memory functionality and hydrolytical degradation of polymer networks from poly(rac-lacide)-b-poly(propylene oxide)-b-poly(rac- lactide) dimethacrylates, were investigated. Shape memory polymers (SMP) are stimuli-sensitive materials which change their shape when heated to a temperature higher than a certain switching temperature. Amorphous polymer networks based on poly[{rac-lactide}-co-glycolide] chain segments were synthesized via copolymerization of rac-dilactide and diglycolide. Polymer networks based on the microdmethacrylates were obtained by photocrossliking using UV-light. Phase-separated, amorphous, and degradable block copolymer networks could be prepared by photocrosslinking. By varying the block length of poly(rac-lactide), a variety of shape-memory polymer networks were obtained. Mechanical properties at room temperature were dominated by the molecular weight of the poly(rac-lactide) blocks showing higher mechanical strength and elasticity.