Application-oriented development of thermoplastic polyurethanes with shape memory properties
type: CreativeWork
description: Shape memory polymers (SMPs) are smart materials, that are capable of changing their shape in response to an external stimulus, typically a change in (ambient) temperature. This change in shape is commonly triggered after a thermomechanical treatment, enabling them to return to their original shape, so-called “one-way shape memory effect” (1W-SME). The switching between two shapes as a function of temperature, is known as the “two-way shape memory effect” (2W-SME). This thermoresponsiveness makes them highly interesting for the use as system components in e.g. programmable materials. Programmable materials act self-sufficiently, combining sensory and actuation properties in a single material. Thus, SMPs are providing the entire system a responsiveness to react actively to temperature changes. This makes them suitable for a wide range of applications with a high degree of functionality. Thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPUs) can exhibit such shape memory properties. This is due to their copolymer structure and phase-segregated morphology, which impart shape memory characteristics to the TPUs. TPUs consist of a soft segment (SS) and a hard segment (HS). The SS is composed of an oligomeric diol, while the HS consists of a diisocyanate and a short diol. Various combinations of these three building blocks allow for a wide range of molecular compounds to be synthesized. Every resulting TPU exhibits a unique property profile that can be used to address different applications. This thesis deals with the application-oriented synthesis of TPUs with shape memory properties. Motivated by the numerous variation possibilities, TPUs with diverse property profiles can be produced and customized through the appropriate selection of monomers, stoichiometry and synthesis parameters. This opens up opportunities to extend the functionality of existing applications or unlock entirely new ones. The aim was to synthesize TPUs efficiently and to investigate their structure-property and structur…
abstract: Shape memory polymers (SMPs) are smart materials, that are capable of changing their shape in response to an external stimulus, typically a change in (ambient) temperature. This change in shape is commonly triggered after a thermomechanical treatment, enabling them to return to their original shape, so-called “one-way shape memory effect” (1W-SME). The switching between two shapes as a function of temperature, is known as the “two-way shape memory effect” (2W-SME). This thermoresponsiveness makes them highly interesting for the use as system components in e.g. programmable materials. Programmable materials act self-sufficiently, combining sensory and actuation properties in a single material. Thus, SMPs are providing the entire system a responsiveness to react actively to temperature changes. This makes them suitable for a wide range of applications with a high degree of functionality. Thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPUs) can exhibit such shape memory properties. This is due to their copolymer structure and phase-segregated morphology, which impart shape memory characteristics to the TPUs. TPUs consist of a soft segment (SS) and a hard segment (HS). The SS is composed of an oligomeric diol, while the HS consists of a diisocyanate and a short diol. Various combinations of these three building blocks allow for a wide range of molecular compounds to be synthesized. Every resulting TPU exhibits a unique property profile that can be used to address different applications. This thesis deals with the application-oriented synthesis of TPUs with shape memory properties. Motivated by the numerous variation possibilities, TPUs with diverse property profiles can be produced and customized through the appropriate selection of monomers, stoichiometry and synthesis parameters. This opens up opportunities to extend the functionality of existing applications or unlock entirely new ones. The aim was to synthesize TPUs efficiently and to investigate their structure-property and structur…
author: Schönfeld, Dennis
language: en
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
date published: 2025
date modified: 2026-07-27T21:28:42Z
provider: Technische Universität Berlin
publisher: Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations
type: WebPage
source organization: Technische Universität Berlin

PropertyValue
property ID: DOI
value: 10.14279/depositonce-24365