Research Progress of High Temperature Shape Memory Polymers

Shape memory polymers (SMPs), as a kind of smart material, have aroused tremendous attention including related basic frontier research and potential application duo to its advantages of light weight, larger deformed ability, as well as tunable performance. During the past years, the bulk of the research has concentrated on SMPs with relatively low to medium shape transition temperature for applications in advanced biomedical and surgical materials, smart fabrics, actuators, and so on. SMPs also have wide potential application in severe environments (high or low temperature, strong radiation, vacuum etc.), such as in satellites, solar arrays and antennas, shape morphing surfaces, airplane wings and aerospace self-deployable structures, where high switching temperature, extraordinary mechanical strength and excellent thermal stability are required. Recently, to meet the application needs of shape memory polymers in harsh environment, scientists have synthesized and developed a number of high performance shape memory polymers including thermoplastic and thermoset polyimide, thermoset cyanate, thermoset polyaspartimide, sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone) and so forth. These materials have high switch temperature, excellent mechanical properties and environmental tolerance. In this review, the latest research progress of high-temperature shape memory polymers and their mechanism is introduced. Regulation methods and typical applications are also explained and analyzed. Finally, the future development trend and challenges of high-temperature shape memory polymers are summarized and prospected.