@article{BalkBehlLendlein2019, author = {Balk, Maria and Behl, Marc and Lendlein, Andreas}, title = {Hydrolytic Degradation of Actuators Based on Copolymer Networks From Oligo(epsilon-caprolactone) Dimethacrylate and n-Butyl Acrylate}, series = {MRS advances}, volume = {4}, journal = {MRS advances}, number = {21}, publisher = {Cambridge Univ. Press}, address = {New York}, issn = {2059-8521}, doi = {10.1557/adv.2019.202}, pages = {1193 -- 1205}, year = {2019}, abstract = {Shape-memory polymer actuators often contain crystallizable polyester segments. Here, the influence of accelerated hydrolytic degradation on the actuation performance in copolymer networks based on oligo(epsilon-caprolactone) dimethacrylate (OCL) and n-butyl acrylate is studied The semi-crystalline OCL was utilized as crosslinker with molecular weights of 2.3 and 15.2 kg.mol(-1) (ratio: 1:1 wt\%) and n-butyl acrylate (25 wt\% relative to OCL content) acted as softening agent creating the polymer main chain segments within the network architecture. The copolymer networks were programmed by 50\% elongation and were degraded by means of alkaline hydrolysis utilizing sodium hydroxide solution (pH = 13). Experiments were performed in the range of the broad melting range of the actuators at 40 degrees C. The degradation of test specimen was monitored by the sample mass, which was reduced by 25 wt\% within 105 d .45 degradation products, fragments of OCL with molecular masses ranging from 400 to 50.000 g.mol(-1) could be detected by NMR spectroscopy and GPC measurements. The cleavage of ester groups included in OCL segments resulted in a decrease of the melting temperature (T-m) related to the actuator domains (amorphous at the temperature of degradation) and simultaneously, the T-m associated to the skeleton domain was increased (semi-crystalline at the temperature of degradation). The alkaline hydrolysis decreased the polymer chain orientation of OCL domains until a random alignment of crystalline domains was obtained. This result was confirmed by cyclic thermomechanical actuation tests. The performance of directed movements decreased almost linearly as function of degradation time resulting in the loss of functionality when the orientation of polymer chains disappeared. Here, actuators were able to provide reversible movements until 91 d when the accelerated bulk degradation procedure using alkaline hydrolysis (pH = 13) was applied. Accordingly, a lifetime of more than one year can be guaranteed under physiological conditions (pH = 7.4) when, e.g., artificial muscles for biomimetic robots as potential application for these kind of shape-memory polymer actuators will be addressed.}, language = {en} } @article{BalkBehlLendlein2019, author = {Balk, Maria and Behl, Marc and Lendlein, Andreas}, title = {Quadruple-shape hydrogels}, series = {Smart materials and structures}, volume = {28}, journal = {Smart materials and structures}, number = {5}, publisher = {IOP Publ. Ltd.}, address = {Bristol}, issn = {0964-1726}, doi = {10.1088/1361-665X/ab0e91}, pages = {10}, year = {2019}, abstract = {The capability of directed movements by two subsequent shape changes could be implemented in shape-memory hydrogels by incorporation of two types of crystallizable side chains While in non-swollen polymer networks even more directed movements could be realized, the creation of multi-shape hydrogels is still a challenge. We hypothesize that a quadruple-shape effect in hydrogels can be realized, when a swelling capacity almost independent of temperature is generated, whereby directed movements could be enabled, which are not related to swelling. In this case, entropy elastic recovery could be realized by hydrophilic segments and the fixation of different macroscopic shapes by means of three semi-crystalline side chains generating temporary crosslinks. Monomethacrylated semi-crystalline oligomers were connected as side chains in a hydrophilic polymer network via radical copolymerization. Computer assisted modelling was utilized to design a demonstrator capable of complex shape shifts by creating a casting mold via 3D printing from polyvinyl alcohol. The demonstrator was obtained after copolymerization of polymer network forming components within the mold, which was subsequently dissolved in water. A thermally-induced quadruple-shape effect was realized after equilibrium swelling of the polymer network in water. Three directed movements were successfully obtained when the temperature was continuously increased from 5 degrees C to 90 degrees C with a recovery ratio of the original shape above 90\%. Hence, a thermally-induced quadruple-shape effect as new record for hydrogels was realized. Here, the temperature range for the multi-shape effect was limited by water as swelling media (0 degrees C-100 degrees C), simultaneously distinctly separated thermal transitions were required, and the overall elasticity indispensable for successive deformations was reduced as result of partially chain segment orientation induced by swelling in water. Conclusively the challenges for penta- or hexa-shape gels are the design of systems enabling higher elastic deformability and covering a larger temperature range by switching to a different solvent.}, language = {en} } @article{ZhangBehlPengetal.2019, author = {Zhang, Pengfei and Behl, Marc and Peng, Xingzhou and Balk, Maria and Lendlein, Andreas}, title = {Chemoresponsive Shape-Memory Effect of Rhodium-Phosphine Coordination Polymer Networks}, series = {Chemistry of materials : a publication of the American Chemical Society}, volume = {31}, journal = {Chemistry of materials : a publication of the American Chemical Society}, number = {15}, publisher = {American Chemical Society}, address = {Washington}, issn = {0897-4756}, doi = {10.1021/acs.chemmater.9b00363}, pages = {5402 -- 5407}, year = {2019}, abstract = {Chemoresponsive polymers are of technological significance for smart sensors or systems capable of molecular recognition. An important key requirement for these applications is the material's structural integrity after stimulation. We explored whether covalently cross-linked metal ion-phosphine coordination polymers (MPN) can be shaped into any temporary shape and are capable of recovering from this upon chemoresponsive exposure to triphenylphosphine (Ph3P) ligands, whereas the MPN provide structural integrity. Depending on the metal-ion concentration used during synthesis of the MPN, the degree of swelling of the coordination polymer networks could be adjusted. Once the MPN was immersed into Ph3P solution, the reversible ligand-exchange reaction between the metal ions and the free Ph3P in solution causes a decrease of the coordination cross-link density in MPN again. The Ph3P-treated MPN was able to maintain its original shape, indicating a certain stability of shape even after stimulation. In this way, chemoresponsive control of the elastic properties (increase in volume and decrease of mechanical strength) of the MPN was demonstrated. This remarkable behavior motivated us to explore whether the MPN are capable of a chemoresponsive shape-memory effect. In initial experiments, shape fixity of around 60\% and shape recovery of almost 90\% were achieved when the MPN was exposed to Ph3P in case of rhodium. Potential applications for chemoresponsive shape-memory systems could be shapable semiconductors, e.g., for lighting or catalysts, which provide catalytic activity on demand.}, language = {en} } @article{LendleinBalkTarazonaetal.2019, author = {Lendlein, Andreas and Balk, Maria and Tarazona, Natalia A. and Gould, Oliver E. C.}, title = {Bioperspectives for Shape-Memory Polymers as Shape Programmable, Active Materials}, series = {Biomacromolecules : an interdisciplinary journal focused at the interface of polymer science and the biological sciences}, volume = {20}, journal = {Biomacromolecules : an interdisciplinary journal focused at the interface of polymer science and the biological sciences}, number = {10}, publisher = {American Chemical Society}, address = {Washington}, issn = {1525-7797}, doi = {10.1021/acs.biomac.9b01074}, pages = {3627 -- 3640}, year = {2019}, abstract = {Within the natural world, organisms use information stored in their material structure to generate a physical response to a wide variety of environmental changes. The ability to program synthetic materials to intrinsically respond to environmental changes in a similar manner has the potential to revolutionize material science. By designing polymeric devices capable of responsively changing shape or behavior based on information encoded into their structure, we can create functional physical behavior, including a shape memory and an actuation capability. Here we highlight the stimuli-responsiveness and shape-changing ability of biological materials and biopolymer-based materials, plus their potential biomedical application, providing a bioperspective on shape-memory materials. We address strategies to incorporate a shape memory (actuation) function in polymeric materials, conceptualized in terms of its relationship with inputs (environmental stimuli) and outputs (shape change). Challenges and opportunities associated with the integration of several functions in a single material body to achieve multifunctionality are discussed. Finally, we describe how elements that sense, convert, and transmit stimuli have been used to create multisensitive materials.}, language = {en} }