Application of interpolated double network model for carbon nanotube composites in electrothermal shape memory behaviors

Multi-wall carbon nanotube filled shape memory polymer composite(MWCNT/SMC)possessed enhanced modulus,strength,and electric conductivity,as well as excellent electrothermal shape memory properties,showing wide design scenarios and engineering application prospects.The thermoelectrically triggered shape memory process contains complex multi-physical mechanisms,especially when coupled with finite deformation rooted on micro-mechanisms.A multi-physical finite deformation model is necessary to get a deep understanding on the coupled electro-thermomechanical properties of electrothermal shape memory composites(ESMCs),beneficial to its design and wide application.Taking into consideration of micro-physical mechanisms of the MWCNTs interacting with double-chain networks,a finite deformation theoretical model is developed in this work based on two superimposed network chains of physically crosslinked network formed among MWCNTs and the chemically crosslinked network.An intact crosslinked chemical network is considered featuring with entropic-hyperelastic properties,superimposed with a physically crosslinked network where percolation theory is based on electric conductivity and electric-heating mechanisms.The model is calibrated by experiments and used for shape recoveries triggered by heating and electric fields.It captures the coupled electro-thermomechanical behavior of ESMCs and provides design guidelines for MWCNTs filled shape memory polymers.

Stepless shape morphing polymer

To change the situation of shape memory polymers(SMPs)that can only remember very few shapes and enable discretional morphing for practical application,the authors report a reversible stepless multiple SMP derived from ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene(UHMWPE).As the crystals of semicrystalline polymers are assembled by those with slightly different melting temperatures,and each type of crystal can remember a single shape,the crystalline region of UHMWPE is allowed to remember plenty of temporary shapes after programming.Changing the temperature of the programmed polymer within the melting/crystallization temperature ranges would lead to releasing/recovery of the memorized temporary shapes.Accordingly,multiple shape memory effects can be easily realized without an elaborate design of material structure and training process in advance as before.The temperaturedependent adjustability of the analog capacitor and soft lens with embedded programmed UHMWPE as actuators,characterized by the continuous/random/proportional responsivity,further reveals the utilization prospects of the controllable reversible stepless discretionary morphing effect.Moreover,the maximum work density of the programmed UHMWPE is found to be 210 kJ/m_(3),which is more than 10 times of piezoelectric ceramics,so that it can serve as a proof-of-concept mechanical driver for reversibly pumping of ethanediol-droplet upon heating/cooling.