1053: Near Infrared Photo-Sensitive Reversible Shape-Memory Polymers Processable Through 4D-Printing

Near Infrared Photo-Sensitive Reversible Shape-Memory Polymers Processable Through 4D-Printing

Natali D.¹, Balk M.², Gualandi C.⁴, Neffe A.T.³, Toma F.M.², Toselli M. ¹.

¹ Department of Industrial Chemistry “Toso Montanari”, University of Bologna.Viale Risorgimento 4, 40136 Bologna (Italy).

²Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, Institute of Functional Materials for Sustainability.Kantstrasse 55, 14513 Teltow (Germany).

³Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg, Institute of Material Chemistry, Universitätsplatz¹, 01968 Senftenberg (Germany).

⁴Department of Chemistry “Giacomo Ciamician”, University of Bologna.Via Selmi 2, 40126 Bologna (Italy).

 Email: daniele.natali4@unibo.it

Our study focuses on developing a novel reversible shape-memory polymer activated by light, based on a semi-crystalline triblock copolymer based on poly-(e-caprolacton) (PCL) and polybutylene succinate (PBS). After functionalization with methacrylate groups, the material was embedded with titanium nitride (TiN) nanoparticles, which exhibit plasmonic resonance in the NIR range. This enables indirect heating to 55–60 °C, triggering the phase transition of the PCL domains. Rheological and thermal properties were optimized to support 4D printing. Initial printing tests demonstrated the feasibility of producing light-responsive structures.