@article {18045,
	title = {Chitosan Membranes Exhibiting Shape Memory Capability by the Action of Controlled Hydration},
	journal = {Polymers},
	volume = {6},
	year = {2014},
	month = {2014-04-17 00:00:00},
	pages = {1178-1186},
	publisher = {MDPI - Open Access Publishing},
	abstract = {<p style="text-align: justify;">Chitosan membranes can undergo a glass transition at room temperature\&nbsp;triggered by hydration. The mechanical properties of the membranes were followed by a\&nbsp;tension test and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), with the sample in wet conditions\&nbsp;after being immersed in varying compositions of water/ethanol mixtures. Results show that\&nbsp;with the increasing of water content, the Young{\textquoteright}s and storage modulus decrease\&nbsp;systematically. For water contents of ca. 35 vol\%, chitosan (CHT) exhibits a glass\&nbsp;transition, showing an elastomeric plateau in the elastic modulus above this hydration level\&nbsp;and the occurrence of a peak in the loss factor. Due to the semi-crystalline nature of CHT,\&nbsp;membranes of this biomaterial present a shape memory capability induced by water uptake.\&nbsp;By fixation of the permanent shape by further covalent cross-linking, the membranes can\&nbsp;have different permanent shapes appropriate for different applications, including in the\&nbsp;biomedical area.</p>},
	keywords = {Biomaterials, biopolymers, Glass transition dynamics, shape memory, smart systems},
	issn = {2073-4360},
	doi = {10.3390/polym6041178},
	url = {http://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/6/4/1178},
	author = {Correia, C. and Caridade, S. G. and Mano, J. F.},
	editor = {B{\"o}ker, A.}
}
