Selectively Sensing Capacities of Biocompatible Shape Memory Materials Based on Cross-Linked Poly(l-malic acid): Visual Discrimination of the Solvents with Similar Structures

A biomass-derived and biocompatible poly(l-malic acid) (PMA) based material with shape memory effect (SME) was developed in this work. 1,8-Octanediol was used as the cross-linker to construct cross-linking networks with hydrophilic backbone chain of PMA, tuning the density of networks and their swelling capacities by controlling −COOH/–OH ratios. The solvent-induced SME of as-obtained cross-linked PMAs was activated under mild conditions in this...