Externally induced thermal actuation of polymer nanocomposites

Y. Hu, Wei Chen

Research output: Journal article publicationJournal articleAcademic researchpeer-review

13 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Among the stimuli responsive polymers, thermally active polymers have attracted great attention because of the accessible and effective characteristics of thermal stimulation. Nanomaterials with their unique properties could serve as "nanoantennas" and "nanoheaters" for harvesting external energy such as electrical, optical, and magnetic, and then convert them into useful thermal energy. With a uniform mixture of the nanomaterials, an external stimulus which has no impact on the thermally responsive polymers could effectively induce the mechanical actuation of polymer nanocomposites. Hence, the trend article aims to present a brief overview of recent progress on the externally induced thermal actuation of polymer nanocomposites as well as provide a summary of the thermal actuation mechanisms. Examples are introduced to highlight the influence of embedded nanomaterials during the actuation progress. Thermally active polymers have attracted great attention because of the convenience and effectiveness of the thermal stimulation among the stimuli-responsive polymers. The trend article presents a brief overview of recent progress on externally induced thermal actuation of polymer nanocomposites, with emphasis on the influence of embedded nanomaterials which serve as "nanoantennas" and "nanoheaters" for harvesting and converting the external stimulus into thermal stimulation. Copyright © 2011 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)992-998
Number of pages7
JournalMacromolecular Chemistry and Physics
Volume212
Issue number10
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 17 May 2011
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • additives
  • nanocomposites
  • stimuli-sensitive polymers
  • thermal properties

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Physical and Theoretical Chemistry
  • Polymers and Plastics
  • Organic Chemistry
  • Materials Chemistry

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Externally induced thermal actuation of polymer nanocomposites'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this