Chemically-crosslinked zwitterionic polyurethanes with excellent thermally-induced multi-shape memory effect and moisture-induced shape memory effect

In this contribution, shape memory polymers (SMPs) of chemically-crosslinked zwitterionic polyurethanes (CZPUs) were fabricated by crosslinking of the N,N-bis(2-hydroxyethyl) isonicotinamide (BINA)/hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI) polyurethanes system by using pentaerythritol (PER), followed by zwitterionization with 1, 3-propanesultone (PS). As the zwitterionic units increased, it was found that the glass transition of hard phase in CZPUs remains constant while that of soft phase shifted at lower temperature, and a broad glass transition was obtained. The broad glass transition enables CZPUs to display triple, quadruple, and quintuple shape memory behaviours. Meanwhile, due to the chemically-crosslinked structure, the CZPUs exhibited an excellent shape fixation and recovery. Furthermore, the CZPU also exhibited good moisture-induced shape memory effect (SME) with a fast and high shape recovery observed below 70% RH and at 37 °C. The excellent thermally-induced multi-shape memory effect and moisture-induced shape memory effect enable CZPUs to be applied as smart materials for many applications among them the biomedical fields. [Display omitted] •Shape memory polymers of chemically-crosslinked zwitterionic polyurethanes were fabricated.•Zwitterionic polyurethanes display triple, quadruple, and quintuple shape memory behaviours.•Zwitterionic polyurethanes exhibited an excellent shape fixation and recovery.•Zwitterionic polyurethanes also exhibited good moisture-induced shape memory effect.