Melt-Moldable Copolymethacrylate/Titania Thermoreversible Polymer Networks with Shape Memory

This paper presents a hybrid network system composed of titania and a linear copolymer based on methyl methacrylate (MMA) and methacrylic acid (MA) monomers. The bonding between the carbonyl groups of the MMA and titania in this hybrid network system was inhibited via the addition of tetrabutylphosphonium chloride. Simultaneously, the titania components in the hybrid network system formed thermally reversible bonds with the carboxyl groups of the MA. The proposed hybrid copolymer not only melt molded and maintained a high titania dispersibility but also exhibited excellent 3D shape-memory characteristics. A bulk 3D body composed of multiple layers of the hybrid film achieved a fixed compressed state of approximately 41% that can be restored with a recovery rate of 81% via reheating.