Multi-shape-memory effects in a wavelength-selective multicomposite

Abstract

Utilization of distinct photoresponsive behaviour of p-aminodiphenylimide and multi-walled carbon nanotube, we design a wavelength-selective multicomposite featuring remotely controlled, microlocalized and photo-manipulating shape-memory behaviors based on typical three segments that are neat epoxy, p-aminodiphenylimide/epoxy and multi-walled carbon nanotube/epoxy composites. Herein, paminodiphenylimide and multi-walled carbon nanotube not only act as photoabsorbers and heat sources to 10 induced shape-memory effect but also functional component to manipulate shape-memory behaviors. In our concept, the quantity of temporary shape and shape recovery process in shape-memory cycle can be accurately controlled by photo-manipulating procedure. Moreover, only one switching domain with sharp thermal transition and a simple shape programming process similar to that for thermal-responsive dualshape shape-memory polymers are required to enable wavelength-selective multicomposite to represent 15 triple-or multi-shape-memory effect. This strategy can be put forward applications of shape-memory polymers and be applied in other stimulus-responsive system to generate complex structures.

Shape memory properties and unusual optical behaviour of an interpenetrating network of poly(ethylene oxide) and poly(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate)

“…Shape memory polymers (SMPs) are a new class of smart materials which can be given a temporary shape and recover their permanent shape on demand using heat or any other external stimuli such as light, electric field etc . The advantage of SMPs over shape memory alloys are that SMPs offer higher recoverable strain and a wider range of mechanical properties .…”

“…The advantage of SMPs over shape memory alloys are that SMPs offer higher recoverable strain and a wider range of mechanical properties . For example, a shape memory alloy (Nitinol, Ni–Ti alloy) shows maximum recoverable strain up to 8%, shape memory ceramics show maximum recoverable strain less than 1%, whereas SMPs can show recoverable strain up to 100% and the same can be tailored as a function of composition . SMPs have potential applications in almost every area of daily life: from self‐repairing auto bodies to kitchen utensils, from switches to sensors, from intelligent packing to tools .…”

Liquid Crystal Elastomer Actuators from Anisotropic Porous Polymer Template

“…Stimuli‐responsive polymeric materials have the ability to program shape changes in response to cues from their environment so that they have potential applications in micromachines, soft robots, and biomedical systems. A variety of intelligent polymeric materials such as liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs), shape memory polymers, hydrogels, conducting polymers, and dielectric elastomers have been developed in recent years due to their wide applications …”

Biodegradable shape memory polyurethanes with controllable trigger temperature

“…Shape memory polymers (SMPs) are smart materials which can rapidly change their shapes in a predefined way in response to external stimuli, such as heat [14] , electricity [5] , alternating magnetic field [6] , microwave radiation [7,8] , hydration [9,10] , etc. In general, SMPs consist of molecular switches (soft segments) and netpoints (hard segments).…”

“…The soft segments form the reversible phase through molecular motion in a rubbery state, while the hard segments form chemical crosslinks or physical crosslinks due to polar interaction, hydrogen bonding or crystallization in the hard domains. Various types of polymers have been developed as SMPs, such as polyurethanes [1,11,12] , polyesters [13] , shape memory epoxy resins [7] , styrene-based shape memory polymers [14] , shape memory polynorbornenes [15] , shape memory cyanates [16] , core/shell composites [17] , etc.…”