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Keywords :
PCL, shape-memory, shape recovery, polymer
Abstract :
[en] Shape memory polymers (SMPs) are smart materials able to switch from a
temporary shape (deformed state) to their initial permanent shape (relaxed shape) upon
exposure to a stimulus; such as light or heat. Remarkable shape memory properties are
especially obtained for covalent networks of semi-crystalline polymers, such as PCL, that
exhibit high fixity and recovery, thanks to their elastomeric behavior above the melting
temperature. Introducing thermoreversible Diels-Alder adducts, i.e. furan/maleimide
adducts, in such PCL covalent networks, allows to combine their excellent shape memory
properties with the reprocessability typical of thermoplastics (1-2).
This work aims at imparting to this furan/maleimide based PCL-CAN, an
electrically triggered shape recovery by incorporating multi-walled carbon nanotubes
(MWCNTs) in the PCL covalent adaptable network (CAN). The impact of the addition of
MWCNTs on the properties of the PCL-CAN has been investigated by comparing the
behavior of PCL-CAN with and without MWCNTs. In addition, in order to better evaluate
the role of the thermoreversible Diels-Alder adduct of the PCL-CAN, a comparative study
has been performed with a PCL covalent network integrating the more thermostable
anthracene/maleimide adducts.
In depth investigation of the samples properties was made possible by integrating
to the conventional characterization methods, namely tensile tester and dynamic
mechanical analysis, the simultaneous measurement of the samples resistivity.
Remarkably, the electrical activation of the shape recovery through
electromagnetic Joule effect was demonstrated for both types of networks. In case of the
furan/maleimide PCL-CAN composite, the reprocessability and remolding of the
permanent shape could also be achieved.
1. Defize T., Riva R., Jérôme C., Alexandre M., Macromol. Chem. Phys., 2012, 213 (2) 187
2. Houbben M., Thomassin J.M., Jérôme C., Mater. Adv., 2022, DOI: 10.1039/d2ma00040g.
