Epoxy acrylate-based shape memory polymer via 3D printing

Abstract

Epoxy acrylate (EA) resin, due to its thermo-mechanical properties, performs excellent shaper memory properties. 3D printing opens new opportunities to fabricated shape memory polymer (SMP), which contributed to a rising variety of applications, also requires 3D-printable capability with more advanced shape-memory function and mechanical performance of the material. In this paper, a new strategy was developed to fabricate high strain EA-based SMP through digital light processing (DLP) 3D printing, which took advantage of free radical copolymerization of epoxy acrylate-based oligomer and monomers. The 3D-printed SMP showed high strain at break (up to 90%), thermal stability, as well as excellent shape memory performance. In addition, the shape memory-based self-driven electronics was fabricated by combining shape memory polymer with light-absorbing and conductive ink. The device could change its configuration in response to light and temperature, which has great potential application for soft robotics, flexible electronics, and intelligent control devices.

Keywords

• smart polymers
• epoxy acrylate resin
• shape memory polymer