Shape and temperature memory of nanocomposites with broadened glass transition

Science. 2007 Nov 23;318(5854):1294-6. doi: 10.1126/science.1145593.

Abstract

Shape-memory polymers can revert to their original shape when they are reheated. The stress generated by shape recovery is a growing function of the energy absorbed during deformation at a high temperature; thus, high energy to failure is a necessary condition for strong shape-memory materials. We report on the properties of composite nanotube fibers that exhibit this particular feature. We observed that these composites can generate a stress upon shape recovery up to two orders of magnitude greater than that generated by conventional polymers. In addition, the nanoparticles induce a broadening of the glass transition and a temperature memory with a peak of recovery stress at the temperature of their initial deformation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't