Biomass Approach toward Robust, Sustainable, Multiple-Shape-Memory Materials.

We report biomass-derived, shape-memory materials prepared via simple reactions, including "grafting from" ATRP and TAD click chemistry. Although the biomass, including plant oils and cellulose nanocrystals, has heterogeneous chemical structures in nature, these materials exhibit excellent multiple shape-memory properties toward temperature, water, and organic solvents, which are comparable to petroleum counterparts. The work presented herein provides burgeoning opportunities to design the next-generation, low-cost, biomass-prevalent, green materials for niche applications.