Novel poly(ethylene ether carbonate) polyurethane elastomers (PEC-PUE) based on methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI and poly(ethylene ether carbonate) diol (PEC) were prepared and characterized. The diol PEC was a new material obtained by copolymerization of ethylene oxide and CO2 in the presence of polymer supported bimetallic catalyst (PBM). When the diol PEC reacted with MDI and with 1,4-butanediol as the chain extender, a: novel polyurethane elastomer can be formed. The elastomer was characterized by FTIR and H-1 NMR. The mechanical properties were studied by tensile set and the thermal properties were studied by TGA. Results of the tests indicated that mechanical strength of the elastomer can be improved by adjusting the ratio of NCO/ CH. The thermal stability as well as tensile strength (TS) decreased sharply after being exposed to moisture and with bonded water in the polymer structure. It was also discovered that as the bonded water evaporated, both the thermal stability and TS would recover. Moreover, shape memory behaviors of the elastomer were also studied, and it was found that all the samples tested returns to its original shape in 100 s. (c) 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.