Synthesis, Shape‐Memory Functionality and Hydrolytical Degradation Studies on Polymer Networks from Poly(rac‐lactide)‐b‐poly(propylene oxide)‐b‐poly(rac‐lactide) dimethacrylates

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Abstract
Amorphous, hydrolytically degradable, multi‐phase block copolymer networks were obtained by photocrosslinking. The macrodimethacrylate precursors were prepared by ring‐opening polymerisation (ROP). The aim of this investigation to tailor the materials' elasticity in the temporary shape could be achieved. Stress‐controlled, cyclic thermomechanical tensile experiments showed the materials' excellent shape‐memory properties with strain recovery rates up to 99 %. The presented amorphous, biodegradable polymer network system with shape‐memory presents a new generation of multi‐functional biomaterials enabling applications in keyhole surgery or controlled drug release.