Phase Transition of Shape-memory Effect in Glassy Shape-memory Polymers

Shape-memory materials (SMMs) are fascinating materials, with the potential for application as "smart materials" and also as actively moving materials, which can change their shape in a predefined way between/among shapes in presence of an appropriate stimulus. The intention of this article is to present a systematic and up-to-date account of chemo-responsive amorphous shape-memory polymers (SMPs) from basic principles in phase transition to experiments. Based on the previous work, phase transition of the chemo-responsive SMPs. of which the transition temperature is originated from the glass transition, is presented. Studies have been explored for chemo-responsive SMPs in various design principles in water/solvent induced shape-memory effect. Some examples, including are also presented.