Shape Memory Polymer Nanofibers and Their Composites: Electrospinning, Structure, Performance, and Applications

Abstract

Shape memory polymers (SMPs) have been defined as a kind of smart materials under great investigation from academic research to industry applications. Research on SMPs and their composites now incorporates a growing focus on nanofibers which offers new structures in microscopic level and the potential of enhanced performance of SMPs. This paper presents a comprehensive review of the development of shape memory polymer nanofibers and their composites, including the introduction of electrospinning technology, the morphology and structures of nanofibers (non-woven fibers, oriented fibers, core/shell fibers, and functional particles added in the fibers), shape memory performance (thermal and mechanical properties, stimulus responsive behavior, multiple and two-way shape changing performance), as well as their potential applications in the fields of biomedical and tissue engineering.

Mutifunctional Electrospun Nonwoven Mats with Two‐Way Shape Memory Behavior Prepared from Sol–Gel Crosslinked Poly(ε‐Caprolactone)

“…Electrospun systems are well known for their peculiar advantages, such as: a finely controlled micro‐/nanometric fiber orientation and porosity; large surface‐to‐volume ratio; versatility, flexibility, and ease of fiber production; relatively low cost and high production rates; well‐known performances as scaffolds for tissue engineering. By providing them also stimuli‐responsive features, it is possible to obtain multifunctional systems that may be employed as innovative drug delivery systems, protective clothing for environmental applications, and membranes for selective filtration, photovoltaic cells, electrolytic batteries . Further, biomedical applications may be greatly favored, to ultimately obtain systems and devices for the regenerative medicine and minimally invasive surgery (such as vascular stents, scaffolds for bone regeneration), and for this reason most of the research on shape memory nonwovens belongs to this field .…”

A review of smart electrospun fibers toward textiles

“…As the temperature exceeding the glass or melting transition, the recovery actuation will be triggered. Rather than bulk film, the Shape Memory Effect (SME) employed in fibers at the micro- or nano-scale probably promotes the research of textiles in situations of immediate control due to the high porosity [ 157 ]. In an early study, PCL based shape memory PU fibrous mat was produced by electrospinning, which showed excellent shape recovery with 98% and 80% shape fixity [ 158 ].…”

The Journey of Phenolics from the First Spark to Advanced Materials

“…were obtained using phenolphthalein, aromatic ketone, imide, amide, and nitrile group containing phenols or amines. [83][84][85][86][87][88][89][90] Likewise, benzoxazines from renewable reagents were synthesized, successfully. [91,92] It should be mentioned that naphthols can be used to replace phenols and several naphthoxazines were also synthesized accordingly.…”