Heat‐responsive shape memory Eucommia ulmoides gum composites reinforced by zinc dimethacrylate

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With the renewability, functionality, and biocompatibility of Eucommia ulmoides gum (EUG), shape memory polymers fabricated from EUG present the potential application in biomedical devices and sensors. In this study, heat‐responsive shape memory composites were developed and reinforced by zinc dimethacrylate (ZDMA). ZDMA particles were in situ polymerized and uniformly dispersed in the EUG, showing strong interfacial interactions with EUG. The obviously improved tensile strength and storage modulus in the elastic state are attributed to the reinforcement of poly‐ZDMA particles. The switching temperature of EUG/ZDMA composites changed from 50 to 29°C through altering the dicumyl peroxide and ZDMA loading. The EUG/ZDMA composites exhibited high shape fixity of 95% and shape recovery of 90%, which favors theirs biomedical applications.