Palm kernel oil polyol based shape memory polyurethane: effect of polycaprolactone and polyethylene glycol as soft segment

Abstract

Shape memory polyurethane (SMPU) with its outstanding characteristics is categorized as smart materials and has been utilized in a wide range of applications. In this study, a series of palm kernel oil polyol (PKOp) - based SMPU with the combination of polycaprolactone (PCL) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) as soft segment was synthesized and characterized for the first time. The synthesized SMPUs were examined via several techniques such as Fourier transform infrared, x-ray diffraction, thermal analysis, tensile and shape memory test. The combination of PCL and PEG in PKOp—based SMPU has overcome the drawbacks of PKOp—based PU with only PCL or PEG as soft segment. PU-PCL4PEG4 exhibited tensile strength, Young’s modulus, and shape fixity of 5.7 MPa, 53.9 MPa, and 97%, respectively. For the variation of PEG molar ratio, PU-0.6PEG demonstrated good modulus (151.3 MPa) and shape fixity (99%) but its tensile strength and tensile strain at break were compromised as compared to other samples.

Keywords

• shape memory polyurethane
• palm kernel oil polyol
• microphase separation