Path-dependent and selective multi-shape recovery of a polyurethane/ cellulose-whisker nanocomposite

Hongsheng Luo, Jinlian Hu, Yong Zhu

Research output: Journal article publicationJournal articleAcademic researchpeer-review

15 Citations (Scopus)

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 languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)172-175
Number of pages4
JournalMaterials Letters
Volume89
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 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

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