Effects of selectively triggered photothermal particles on shape memory polymer composites: An investigation on structural performance, thermomechanical characteristics and photothermal behaviour

Abstract

Light-activated shape memory polymer composites (LASMPCs) have the ability to facilitate breakthrough technological advancements in aerospace and space engineering applications since the shape memory effect can be remotely controlled by a light beam. Introduction of rare-earth organic complexes–based photothermal fillers such as Nd(TTA)3Phen and Yb(TTA)3Phen into thermally activated shape memory polymers has been reported as a convenient and commercially available approach to prepare light-activated shape memory polymer composites. Such light-activated shape memory polymer composites undertake selective photothermal stimulation due to light and applicable for macroscale and microscale applications. This article presents the effects of added rare-earth organic complexes of Nd(TTA)3Phen and Yb(TTA)3Phen, as well as glass fibre reinforcements on structural performance and shape memory behaviour of light-activated shape memory polymer composites. The physical and mechanical properties, as well as thermomechanical, shape memory, and photothermal behaviours, were systematically investigated. It has been found that the combination of photothermal fillers and glass fibre reinforcements has enhanced the capacity of light-activated shape memory polymer composites to apply for a wider range of large-scale engineering applications.

Additive Manufacturing of Shape Memory Polymer Composites for Futuristic Technology

“…Carbon fiber LASMPC materials are capable of near-infrared light with a maximal power density of 2W/cm 2 for actuation, and these carbon-based filler materials had demonstrated developed not only photothermal efficiency but also enhanced structural properties . The effects of rare earth organic compounds and glass fiber filler on the main matrix have been tested by Herath et al, and the various properties have been investigated. It has been found that the photothermal triggering capacity of the SMPC increased drastically with different weight percentages.…”

Graphene Nanoarchitectonics: A New Material Horizon for Reinforcement of Sustainable Polymers

“…In addition to microwave-active shape-memory materials, photo/thermal-active shape-memory material is also one of the materials that facilitate remote driving (Herath et al, 2019;Huang et al, 2019;Li et al, 2019;Kang et al, 2019). Photo/thermal actuators are made by doping fillers in a photo/thermal-active shape-memory polymer matrix (Lu et al, 2014;Yi et al, 2014).…”

Damage onset analysis of optimized shape memory polymer composites during programming into curved shapes

“…The matrix binds these fillers and fibre reinforcements together and distributes induced stresses through the whole shape memory polymer composite (SMPC). Particulate fillers such as graphene oxide (GO) [8], multi walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) [9], carbon black (CB) [10] and rare earth organic fillers [11] produce thermal [8], electrical [9,10] and photothermal [11] property enhancements, and fibre reinforcements improve structural properties such as resistance to cyclic loading [12], modulus, stiffness and strength [5]. SMPC hinges [13], truss booms [14], solar arrays [13], reflector antennas [15,16], morphing structures [17,18] and mandrels [19] are a few of the renowned applications proposed for SMPCs.…”