Thermoresponsive shape memory polymers for smart textiles

The need of various functionalities with response to environment has developed smart textiles. These materials can be created by using stimuli-responsive shape memory polymers. Among them, thermoresponsive shape memory polymers are smart materials that alter in shape and properties with a change in temperature. Novel functionalities of thermoresponsive shape memory polymers have been applied in textiles to achieve environmental stimuli properties. These functionalities include comfort, breathability, crease recovery, controlled drug release, and thermal insulation. This chapter highlights about thermoresponsive shape memory polymers and its classification. The applications and mechanism of shape memory behavior of polycaprolactone, polyurethane, polylactic acid, and ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer are briefly described in this chapter.