Shape memory biomaterials prepared from polyurethane/ureas containing sulfated glucose

Covalently crosslinked polyurethane/urea polymers were synthesized using diamine monomers modified with pendant glucose groups and 2,4‐toluene diisocyanate, poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), and 1,1,1‐tris(hydroxymethyl)ethane (triol) comonomers. The polymers showed shape memory behavior with a switching temperature dependent on the glass transition temperature. The glass transition temperature is tuned by varying the mole ratio between the glucose‐diamine and PEG used in the polymerization. Increasing PEG content resulted in decreasing glass transition temperature, and a glass transition temperature of 39 °C, close to physiological temperatures, was obtained. The fixed shape showed gradual shape recovery behavior, but a fixity of 70% was achieved when the material was stored at 25 °C. The polymer recovered to the permanent shape when heated to 50 °C. Finally, the surface of a film of the polymer can be sulfated to achieve increased blood‐compatibility without sacrificing the shape memory properties. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2015 , 53, 2252–2257