<Abstract>

Biocompatible poly(propylene carbonate) (PPC)/polycaprolactone (PCL) shape

memory blends were fabricated using melt blending. The shape memory performance

of these blends was found to depend remarkably on their components. On addition of

25 vol % PCL, one blend (PL-25) achieved an optimal shape-fixing ratio (Rf) and -recovery

ratio (Rr). Specifically, its Rrconsiderably increased by 24.1 and 50.0% compared with

those of pure PPC and PCL, respectively, because of the restricted irreversible deformation

of the amorphous chains cross-linked by tiny crystals. After undergoing three

thermomechanical cycles, Rf and Rr reached 97.0%. The PL-25 blend was further melt-processed

into a stent, which showed a fast response and self-expansion at 37 °C. These results,

along with those obtained from evaluating the material’s blood compatibility, in vitro

degradation and drug release behavior, demonstrated the great potential of PL-25 for

biomedical applications.
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