Electrical actuation and shape recovery control of shape-memory polymer nanocomposites

• Main Authors: Fei Liang, Robert Sivilli, Jihua Gou, Yunjun Xu, Bob Mabbott
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2013-09-01
• Series: International Journal of Smart and Nano Materials
• Subjects: shape control; electrical actuation; shape-memory polymer; carbon nanofiber paper
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/19475411.2013.837846
• ISSN: 1947-5411; 1947-542X

Shape-memory polymers (SMPs) are one of the most popular smart materials due to their light weight and high elastic deformation capability. The synergistic effect of carbon nanofiber (CNF) and carbon nanofiber paper (CNFP) on the electro-actuation of SMP nanocomposites was studied. The electrical conductivity of SMPs was significantly improved by incorporating CNF and CNFP into them. The dynamic mechanical analysis result reveals good thermal stability of SMP nanocomposites even after they were mixed with CNFs. A vision-based control system is designed to precisely control the shape recovery of SMP composites. Any quasi-state shape between the permanent shape and a temporary shape can be achieved by adjusting the electrical energy input. Experimental results demonstrated that (1) compared with the baseline material, the full recovery time of the SMP nanocomposites was decreased by 1000% to less than 80 s; (2) a good repeatability was shown in the developed vision system in 10 experimental trials and the accuracy of the controlled deflection angle of SMPs was within a 5% error bound.