Chitosan Membranes Exhibiting Shape Memory Capability by the Action of Controlled Hydration

Polymers

Cristina O. Correia¹  Sofia G. Caridade¹ 

[1] 3B’s Research Group—Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, AvePark, Zona Industrial da Gandra S. Cláudio do Barco, 4806-909 Caldas das Taipas, Guimarães, Portugal; E-Mails:

关键词: shape memory;    glass transition dynamics;    biopolymers;    biomaterials;    smart systems;   

DOI  :  10.3390/polym6041178

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

Chitosan membranes can undergo a glass transition at room temperature triggered by hydration. The mechanical properties of the membranes were followed by a tension test and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), with the sample in wet conditions after being immersed in varying compositions of water/ethanol mixtures. Results show that with the increasing of water content, the Young’s and storage modulus decrease systematically. For water contents of ca. 35 vol%, chitosan (CHT) exhibits a glass transition, showing an elastomeric plateau in the elastic modulus above this hydration level and the occurrence of a peak in the loss factor. Due to the semi-crystalline nature of CHT, membranes of this biomaterial present a shape memory capability induced by water uptake. By fixation of the permanent shape by further covalent cross-linking, the membranes can have different permanent shapes appropriate for different applications, including in the biomedical area.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2014 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.