Study on the structure and morphology of supramolecular shape memory polyurethane containing pyridine moieties

Fabricating smart materials has been an attractive research topic in recent years. In this study, a series of pyridine-containing shape memory polyurethanes (Py-SMPUs) with different pyridine contents were synthesized. Based on the theoretical analysis, the structure and morphology of Py-SMPUs were studied systematically with FT-IR, DSC, WAXD, DMA, AFM, etc. Results show that a hydrogen-bonded supramolecular structure is formed in the Py-SMPUs. Hydrogen bonds present in the urethane group and pyridine ring are the most favorable hydrogen bonds which play an important role in the movement of the polymer chain. Microphase separation consisting of a soft phase and hard phase occurs in the Py-SMPUs. The soft phase is influenced greatly by the N, N-bis(2-hydroxyl ethyl) isonicotinamide (BINA) unit and the hard phase is mainly a result of the hexamethylene diisocyanate and 1,4-butanediol (HDI-BDO) units. As the BINA content decreases, the soft phase tends to change gradually from a continuous amorphous phase to a droplet-like dispersion phase, whereas the hard phase develops from a droplet-like dispersion amorphous phase to a continuous crystalline phase. © 2011 IOP Publishing Ltd.