Environmental memory of polymer networks under stress

Abstract

Generally reversible stimuli-responsive materials do not memorize the stimulus. In this study we describe an example in which stretched and constrained semi-crystalline polymer networks respond to solvent gases with stress and simultaneously memorize the concentration and the chemical nature of the solvent itself in their microstructure. This written solvent signature can even be deleted by temperature.

Keywords: natural rubber; polymer networks; smart materials; solvent memory; stimuli-responsive materials.