Optically transparent high temperature shape memory polymers

Abstract

Optically transparent shape memory polymers (SMPs) have potential in advanced optoelectronic and other common shape memory applications, and here optically transparent shape memory polyimide is reported for the first time. The polyimide possesses a glass transition temperature (T_g) of 171 °C, higher than the T_g of other transparent SMPs reported, and the influence of molecular structure on T_g is discussed. The 120 μm thick polyimide film exhibits transmittance higher than 81% in 450–800 nm, and the possible mechanism of its high transparency is analyzed, which will benefit further research on other transparent high temperature SMPs. The transparent polyimide showed excellent thermomechanical properties and shape memory performances, and retained high optical transparency after many shape memory cycles.