Amorphous, Elastic AB Copolymer Networks from Acrylates and Poly[( L ‐lactide)‐ ran ‐glycolide]dimethacrylates

Three series of amorphous AB copolymer networks with shape‐memory capabilities were obtained from poly[(L‐lactide)‐ran‐glycolide]dimethacrylate (DM) as crosslinker and ethylacrylate‐(AEt), butylacrylate‐(ABu), or hexyl acrylate (AHe) as comonomers. The switching temperature T sw of the shape‐memory effect could be adjusted between 9 °C to 45 °C. Strain fixity rates and strain recovery rates above 96 % could be reached. Compared to the homonetwork from DM, the incorporation of polyacrylate segments into the network led to a significant improvement of mechanical properties. Reaching higher elasticity and the possibility to adjust T sw to a temperature between room temperature and body temperature are considered to be substantial steps to improve the applicability of these polymer networks.