Effect of Cellulose Nanocrystals and Starch on the Shape-Memory Behavior of Biodegradable TPU-Based Ternary Polymer Composites

Effect of Cellulose Nanocrystals and Starch on the Shape-Memory Behavior of Biodegradable TPU-Based Ternary Polymer Composites | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article Effect of Cellulose Nanocrystals and Starch on the Shape-Memory Behavior of Biodegradable TPU-Based Ternary Polymer Composites MD Ashikur Rahman, Cheera Prasad, V Govinda, Hyeong Yeol Choi, and 1 more This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-8607111/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Under Review Version 1 posted 14 You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Integrating shape-memory functionality with controlled biodegradability is essential for developing sustainable polymeric materials for biomedical and soft-actuation applications. This study investigated the effect of incorporating cellulose nanocrystals and starch in thermoplastic polyurethane (94% bio-based), synthesized via one-shot solvent-free polymerization using 71% bio-based 1,5-pentamethylene diisocyanate, 100% bio-based polytrimethylene ether glycol, and 1,3-propanediol. Cellulose nanocrystals were added to the combinations at 0.5, 1, and 2 wt.%, and starch at 1 wt.%. TPU_CNC_2 recovered fully to its original shape in 15 seconds at 90°C, TPU_CNC_2_Starch_1 retained 98 ± 1.9% in 60 seconds at 80°C, and 95 ± 2.2% in 15 seconds at 90°C with a tensile strength of approximately 20 ± 1.2 MPa, an elongation at break of 2891 ± 20.9%, and a moderate Shore A hardness of 67. Moreover, Cell viability was also assessed on day 5; all developed samples showed approximately 90 ± 2.2% cell coverage on the sample surface, with TPU_CNC_2_Starch_1 achieving 99 ± 1% coverage. FIB-SEM analysis confirmed the incorporation of CNC and the pore structure after 8 weeks in PBS of pH 7.4. Additionally, biodegradation was investigated in PBS solution, where starch-containing samples, such as TPU_Starch_1 and TPU_CNC_2_Starch_1, lost approximately 16 ± 1.3% of their weight over 8 weeks. These findings demonstrate a rapid recovery, cytocompatibility, and partial biodegradability of a bio-based thermoplastic composite for biomedical devices, soft actuators, and environmentally responsible packaging. Bio-based TPU PDI Shape memory TPU TPU-CNC-Starch ternary composites Full Text Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Cite Share Download PDF Status: Under Review Version 1 posted Editorial decision: Revision requested 13 Mar, 2026 Reviews received at journal 22 Feb, 2026 Reviews received at journal 21 Feb, 2026 Reviews received at journal 14 Feb, 2026 Reviews received at journal 09 Feb, 2026 Reviewers agreed at journal 02 Feb, 2026 Reviewers agreed at journal 31 Jan, 2026 Reviewers agreed at journal 29 Jan, 2026 Reviewers agreed at journal 29 Jan, 2026 Reviewers agreed at journal 28 Jan, 2026 Reviewers invited by journal 28 Jan, 2026 Editor assigned by journal 17 Jan, 2026 Submission checks completed at journal 17 Jan, 2026 First submitted to journal 15 Jan, 2026 You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-8607111","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":582699689,"identity":"a80154e8-b9e6-4ad4-b0b3-13512a8f4d6a","order_by":0,"name":"MD Ashikur Rahman","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Dong-A University","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"MD","middleName":"Ashikur","lastName":"Rahman","suffix":""},{"id":582699690,"identity":"aaa8f617-2ffd-4e34-bf7a-a568468d42c9","order_by":1,"name":"Cheera Prasad","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Dong-A University","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Cheera","middleName":"","lastName":"Prasad","suffix":""},{"id":582699697,"identity":"db3060bd-9624-4431-afca-372dfc94b710","order_by":2,"name":"V Govinda","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Gayatri Vidya Parishad College for Degree and PG Courses","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"V","middleName":"","lastName":"Govinda","suffix":""},{"id":582699698,"identity":"14e4fcbe-185e-4449-ac72-2a5a75576b0b","order_by":3,"name":"Hyeong Yeol Choi","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Dong-A University","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Hyeong","middleName":"Yeol","lastName":"Choi","suffix":""},{"id":582699699,"identity":"c482e539-ef09-4bcc-b177-670a9ea4b921","order_by":4,"name":"Eun Joo Shin","email":"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAZAAAAAyAQMAAABI0h/eAAAABlBMVEX///8AAABVwtN+AAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAAA5UlEQVRIiWNgGAWjYHCCBAaGihoeefYGAwifhygtZ47JGPYcIF4LAwNjC7MNw40EIrXItzc8fPCxgY2HcebjjZ95GOzkGXjOPsCrxeDMgWTDmTtkeNil04qleRiSDRt42w3wa5FISJPmPQO0ZXaOAVALcwIDPxsBh81/ANTSxszDcPOM8W8ehnrCWhhuMEC13OAxA9pyOIGBtw2/DoMzCcmGM84c4zHsSSuznGNw3LCN5xgBh7WfSXzwoaLGXp798OYbbyqq5fl50gg4jIEnAdlSBgZCPgEC9gOE1YyCUTAKRsHIBgBVtDxpA+M0TwAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==","orcid":"","institution":"Dong-A University","correspondingAuthor":true,"prefix":"","firstName":"Eun","middleName":"Joo","lastName":"Shin","suffix":""}],"badges":[],"createdAt":"2026-01-15 05:23:38","currentVersionCode":1,"declarations":"","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-8607111/v1","doiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-8607111/v1","draftVersion":[],"editorialEvents":[],"editorialNote":"","failedWorkflow":false,"files":[{"id":101751435,"identity":"42db7cc4-549b-4429-8606-82941e16472c","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-02-03 10:20:17","extension":"pdf","order_by":1,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":2679164,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"FinalmanuscriptofShapememorywithcitationcititation0115.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8607111/v1_covered_6ce68396-dc41-4dfb-95db-2e3fa4d8fc2e.pdf"}],"financialInterests":"No competing interests reported.","formattedTitle":"Effect of Cellulose Nanocrystals and Starch on the Shape-Memory Behavior of Biodegradable TPU-Based Ternary Polymer Composites","fulltext":[],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":false,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":false,"hideJournal":false,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":false,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":true,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":true,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"journal-of-polymers-and-the-environment","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"jooe","sideBox":"Learn more about [Journal of Polymers and the Environment](https://www.springer.com/journal/10924)","snPcode":"10924","submissionUrl":"https://submission.nature.com/new-submission/10924/3","title":"Journal of Polymers and the Environment","twitterHandle":"","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"em","reportingPortfolio":"Springer Hybrid","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":false},"keywords":"Bio-based TPU, PDI, Shape memory TPU, TPU-CNC-Starch ternary composites","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-8607111/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-8607111/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003cp\u003eIntegrating shape-memory functionality with controlled biodegradability is essential for developing sustainable polymeric materials for biomedical and soft-actuation applications. This study investigated the effect of incorporating cellulose nanocrystals and starch in thermoplastic polyurethane (94% bio-based), synthesized via one-shot solvent-free polymerization using 71% bio-based 1,5-pentamethylene diisocyanate, 100% bio-based polytrimethylene ether glycol, and 1,3-propanediol. Cellulose nanocrystals were added to the combinations at 0.5, 1, and 2 wt.%, and starch at 1 wt.%. TPU_CNC_2 recovered fully to its original shape in 15 seconds at 90\u0026deg;C, TPU_CNC_2_Starch_1 retained 98\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.9% in 60 seconds at 80\u0026deg;C, and 95\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.2% in 15 seconds at 90\u0026deg;C with a tensile strength of approximately 20\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.2 MPa, an elongation at break of 2891\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;20.9%, and a moderate Shore A hardness of 67. Moreover, Cell viability was also assessed on day 5; all developed samples showed approximately 90\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.2% cell coverage on the sample surface, with TPU_CNC_2_Starch_1 achieving 99\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1% coverage. FIB-SEM analysis confirmed the incorporation of CNC and the pore structure after 8 weeks in PBS of pH 7.4. Additionally, biodegradation was investigated in PBS solution, where starch-containing samples, such as TPU_Starch_1 and TPU_CNC_2_Starch_1, lost approximately 16\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.3% of their weight over 8 weeks. These findings demonstrate a rapid recovery, cytocompatibility, and partial biodegradability of a bio-based thermoplastic composite for biomedical devices, soft actuators, and environmentally responsible packaging.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"Effect of Cellulose Nanocrystals and Starch on the Shape-Memory Behavior of Biodegradable TPU-Based Ternary Polymer Composites","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2026-01-30 04:24:33","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-8607111/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0},{"type":"decision","content":"Revision requested","date":"2026-03-13T16:41:04+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2026-02-23T04:24:40+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2026-02-21T07:40:50+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2026-02-14T11:00:57+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2026-02-09T10:49:15+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"19729228676154121409133650462130323033","date":"2026-02-03T02:13:37+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"123016879579240673712068415621918937236","date":"2026-01-31T12:14:15+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"190685910230550044299424473885034370608","date":"2026-01-29T22:13:04+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"208621254017150239146971437692815178893","date":"2026-01-29T08:32:47+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"331327232312560502426404186829405545995","date":"2026-01-29T01:11:34+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewersInvited","content":"","date":"2026-01-28T18:22:40+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorAssigned","content":"","date":"2026-01-17T20:38:02+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"checksComplete","content":"","date":"2026-01-17T20:37:39+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"submitted","content":"Journal of Polymers and the Environment","date":"2026-01-15T05:10:16+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"journal-of-polymers-and-the-environment","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"jooe","sideBox":"Learn more about [Journal of Polymers and the Environment](https://www.springer.com/journal/10924)","snPcode":"10924","submissionUrl":"https://submission.nature.com/new-submission/10924/3","title":"Journal of Polymers and the Environment","twitterHandle":"","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"em","reportingPortfolio":"Springer Hybrid","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":false}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"fdc1c5c8-d78b-4fe1-85cd-102e68aeca46","owner":[],"postedDate":"January 30th, 2026","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"under-review","subjectAreas":[],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2026-05-08T08:55:55+00:00","versionOfRecord":[],"versionCreatedAt":"2026-01-30 04:24:33","video":"","vorDoi":"","vorDoiUrl":"","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-8607111","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-8607111","identity":"rs-8607111","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"XKTyCvWXoU3ODBz1xrDgd","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}