Abstract
Incorporation of cellulose nano-whiskers (CNWs) into shape memory polyurethane (SMPU) endowed the composites with thermo- and water-sensitive triple switches. The thermal transitions of the composites were measured by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). Path-dependent and selective multi-shape recovery was unprecedentedly achieved for the single CNW-SMPU nanocomposite, as determined by elaborately designed tensile tests. The composite offered five paths of shape recovery with choices of dual, triple and quadruple shapes using only one-step programming. Photographs recording the quadruple-shape recovery of the composite along water and heat stimulations were presented. This high level of adaptability of the composite may be beneficial for developing novel functional polymeric composites.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 172-175 |
| Number of pages | 4 |
| Journal | Materials Letters |
| Volume | 89 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 15 Dec 2012 |
Keywords
- Functional
- Multi-shape
- Nanocomposites
- Path-dependent
- Switches
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Materials Science(all)
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Mechanical Engineering
- Mechanics of Materials