A copolymer characterized by alternating or semi-alternating ester and anhydride bonds, methods for its production and use thereof, particularly as a carrier for drug delivery, are described herein.

The present invention discloses the fabrication and application of a shape memory polymer possessing transesterification-induced permanent reshaping. The ester-containing crosslinked polymer is obtained by crosslinking ester bearing polymer precursors or by reaction of monomers which yield ester bonds. The transition temperature falls between 20-150 C. The reshaping temperature is tuned by catalyst amount and should be 20 C. above the transition temperature. The breakthrough of the present invention lies in integrating shape memory effect and plastic deformation into the same polymer and triggering the respective function at different occasions. The permanent shape of as synthesized polymer could be modified arbitrarily and cumulatively. Therefore, the hierarchical structure which could not otherwise be obtained due to the limit of mold fabrication process should expand the practical application of SMPs.

The present invention discloses the fabrication and application of a shape memory polymer possessing transesterification-induced permanent reshaping. The ester-containing crosslinked polymer is obtained by crosslinking ester bearing polymer precursors or by reaction of monomers which yield ester bonds. The transition temperature falls between 20-150 C. The reshaping temperature is tuned by catalyst amount and should be 20 C. above the transition temperature. The breakthrough of the present invention lies in integrating shape memory effect and plastic deformation into the same polymer and triggering the respective function at different occasions. The permanent shape of as synthesized polymer could be modified arbitrarily and cumulatively. Therefore, the hierarchical structure which could not otherwise be obtained due to the limit of mold fabrication process should expand the practical application of SMPs.

Compositions for binding organic or inorganic fibers is described. The compositions may include an aqueous solution having a pH of about 4.5 or more. The aqueous solution may include a polycarboxy polymer that is about 10%, by wt., to 100%, by wt., of a butenedioic acid or butenedioic anhydride; and a polyol. The compositions can maintain a pH of about 5 or more after being cured into a thermoset plastic with the fibers. Processes for preparing a binder composition for organic or inorganic fibers are also described. The processes may include providing an aqueous solution of polycarboxylic acid polymers, where the polymers comprise about 10%, by wt., to 100%, by wt., of a butenedioic acid or butenedioic anhydride; adding a polyol to the aqueous solution; and maintaining the pH of the aqueous solution at about 5 or more.