Shape Memory Materials Comprising Polyelectrolyte Segments
The present invention concerns shape memory materials comprising polyelectrolyte segments. These segments can be used for fixing a permanent shape and/or such segments can also be employed as switching segments responsible for the fixation and release of the temporary shape.
1 . A shape memory polymer comprising at least one hard segment and at least one soft segment, wherein the at least one hard segment and the at least one soft segment comprise a polyelectrolyte segment.
2 . The shape memory polymer of claim 1 , wherein the soft segment comprises a polyelectrolyte segment.
3 . The shape memory polymer of claim 1 , wherein the hard segment comprises a polyelectrolyte segment.
4 . The shape memory polymer of claim 1 , wherein the polyelectrolyte segment is an anionic segment.
5 . The shape memory polymer of claim 1 , wherein the polyelectrolyte segment is a cationic segment.
6 . The shape memory polymer of claim 1 , wherein the polyelectrolyte segment bridges multivalent cations and fixes the shape.
7 . The shape memory polymer of claim 1 , wherein an ionic interaction is reduced between a first polyelectrolyte segment and a second polyelectrolyte segment.
8 . The shape memory polymer of claim 1 , wherein the shape memory polymer is a network material.
9 . A method of using shape memory polymer of claim 1 , to make a sensor.
10 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the sensor is a pH sensor or a sensor for detecting a change concerning an ion concentration.
11 . The shape memory polymer of claim 7 , wherein the reduced ionic interaction is due to a cation exchange of multivalent, bridging cations with monovalent cations.