One-way shape memory polyesters-evolution, growth, developments, and current trends

ABSTRACT

Shape memory polymers (SMPs) are a class of smart materials that, when excited by a stimulus, can revert to their original shape after being temporarily deformed. Due to its potential application in biomedicine and soft robotics, shape memory polyester has recently received a lot of attention. The present review endeavors to expound upon the mechanisms underlying the considerable proliferation of shape memory polyester, coupled with an in-depth analysis of its prevailing trends and applications. With the principal objective of furnishing readers with a vantage point pertaining to the rationale behind the imperative elevation of these polymers to a position of prominence, and concurrently delineating potential trajectories for scholarly investigation to facilitate their prospective evolution, the discourse is meticulously compartmentalized to facilitate discrete examination of each major distinct class of polyesters.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

KEYWORDS:

• Biomedicine
• polyester
• shape memory polymers
• shape morphing
• smart polymers

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to that Dr. S. Sengupta and Dr. T. Das for their kind support throughout the process.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Supplemental data

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed online at https://doi.org/10.1080/25740881.2023.2254372

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Sayan Basak

Sayan Basak has completed his B.Tech. from the Department of Polymer Science and Technology, University of Calcutta, India (2015–2019), and is currently pursuing his Ph.D in the area of smart polymrs. His undergraduate research interest, along with his present research domain, revolves working with shape memory and functional elastomers and multi-component polymer systems.

Poulomi Dasgupta

Poulomi Dasgupta completed her graduation with Chemistry (Hons.) from Vidyasagar College (Kolkata) in 2013. She subsequently received her B.Tech. (2016) and M.Tech. (2019) degrees at the Department of Polymer Science and Technology at the University of Calcutta. She was awarded gold medal from the University of Calcutta (during B.Tech). Her area of research was based on ‘Development of thermo-responsive self-healable elastomeric compound and its characterization.’

Abhijit Bandyopadhyay

Abhijit Bandyopadhya is presently working as a full Professor in the Department of Polymer Science and Technology, University of Calcutta, along with as the Technical Director in South Asia Rubber and Polymers Park (SARPOL), West Bengal. He did his B.Sc. (Chem. Hons.) from the University of Calcutta securing 1st class in the year 1997 followed by B.Tech. and M.Tech. in Polymer Science and Technology from the University of Calcutta in the year 2000 and 2002, respectively, with 1st class and subsequently completed Ph.D. in the year 2005 in Polymer Nanocomposites from Rubber Technology Centre, IIT Kharagpur. Before joining the University of Calcutta in November 2008, he worked as an Assistant Professor in Rubber Technology Centre, IIT Kharagpur, during 2007–2008. Dr. Bandyopadhyay has published 90 papers in high impact international journals, and 3 books and has filed two Indian patents so far. He has successfully handled many funded research projects and did consultancies for renowned companies like Exide Industries Ltd., Philips Carbon Black Ltd., etc. He is the Fellow of the International Congress for Environmental Research (since 2010), Associate Member of Indian Institute of Chemical Engineers and Life Member of Society for Polymer Science, Kolkata Chapter and Indian Rubber Institute, respectively. He is the Editorial Board Member of two international Journals. He has more than 12 years of teaching and research experience. He has been awarded with Young Scientist Award by Materials Research Society of India, Kolkata Chapter in 2005 and Career Award for Young Teachers by All India Council for Technical Education, Government of India, in 2010. His research areas include polymer nanocomposites, reactive blending, adhesion, polymer hydrogel in drug delivery, waste-polymer composites, green polymer composites and hyperbranched polymers. He has successfully supervised 11 research students for their doctorate degree so far and 4 more are presently working under him.