Spectroscopy and Imaging

This article presents a versatile method for the preparation of smart interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs). Based on two different orthogonal binding motives, IPNs are generated by simply mixing ligand containing polymers and corresponding metal salts leading to a polymeric material featuring shape-memory abilities. Due to the utilization of heteroleptic complexes as crosslinks in one of the two networks, simple tuning of the crosslinking density, as well as the generation of IPNs made out of three different main polymers is possible. The structure–property-relationships of the resulting IPNs are investigated in a detailed fashion applying FT-Raman spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), dynamic-mechanical-thermal analyses (DMTA) as well as thermo-mechanical analyses (TMA). In the scope of thermo-mechanical analysis (TMA) excellent shape-memory properties, with strain fixity rates near 100% and strain recovery rates up to 93%, could be observed.