Dynamic Bonds Reinforced Polyamide Elastomer for Biomedical Orthosis
4D printing of shape memory polymers (SMPs) allows the 3D-printed structures to have adjustable shapes, properties, and functionalities, paving the way for intelligent devices and multifunctional applications. However, 4D-printed SMPs face challenges due to mechanical anisotropy and mediocre shape memory performance hampered by weak interlayer adhesion. This study innovatively integrates shape memory polyamide elastomer with 4D printing technology to develop a multifunctional intelligent orthosis. Here, a dynamic bonds (DBs) reinforced shape memory polyamide elastomer is developed using a twin-screw extruder through reactive extrusion. Dynamic covalent networks are introduced into polyamide elastomer, which enhances interlayer adhesion in 4D-printed objects by utilizing combined effects of multiple dynamic covalent bonds (DCBs) and hierarchical hydrogen bonds (DHBs), leading to the reduction of mechanical anisotropy and improvement of the mechanical and shape memory properties of the 4D printouts. 4D-printed objects demonstrated excellent macroscopic shape memory and reconfiguration, showcasing the versatility of this material, and the application for spinal orthosis is also demonstrated.
Authors
- Wei Zhao (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7045-912X)
- Xinchang Pang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2445-5221)
- Peng Fu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8437-571X)
- Zhe Cui (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7557-0129)
- Junhua Kong (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5296-6603)
- Peiyao Yan (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7377-1808)
- Yuancheng Zhang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8309-8140)
- Xiaomeng Zhang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3291-1904)
- Zhen Li (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1177-2818)
- Chaobin He (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8200-8337)
- Hao Wang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7414-0426)
- Xin Li (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9791-5105)
- Minying Liu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0007-1372-9000)
Institutions
- Agency for Science, Technology and Research (SG)
- National University of Singapore (SG)
- Zhengzhou University (CN)
- Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (SG)
- Zhengzhou University of Industrial Technology (CN)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Advanced Science
- Published
- 2025-05-20
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202504395
- Citations
- 2
- Primary Topic
- Polymer composites and self-healing
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 1.21
Funders
- National Research Foundation
- Agency for Science, Technology and Research
- National Research Foundation Singapore
- National Natural Science Foundation of China
- Sun Yat-sen University
- China Postdoctoral Science Foundation
- Zhengzhou University
- Sichuan University