A remote-activated shape memory polymer network employing vinyl-capped Fe3O4 nanoparticles as netpoints for durable performance

• Published in: Smart materials and structures Vol. 23; no. 8
• Main Authors: Xia, Shuang, Li, Xingjian, Wang, Yaru, Pan, Yi, Zheng, Zhaohui, Ding, Xiaobin, Peng, Yuxing
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bristol IOP Publishing 01.08.2014; Institute of Physics
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Composites; durable performance; Exact sciences and technology; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; magnetically responsive; Polymer industry, paints, wood; shape memory polymer; Technology of polymers; Scanning electron microscopy; Iron oxide; Particle cluster; Nanoparticle; Methyl methacrylate polymer; Thermomechanical properties; High temperature; Magnetic field effect; Heat source; Magnetite; Shape memory effect; Vinylic compound; Crosslinked polymer; Nanocomposite; Fourier-transformed infrared spectrometry; Heat transfer; X-ray photoelectron spectra
• ISSN: 0964-1726; 1361-665X
• DOI: 10.1088/0964-1726/23/8/085005

A new type of shape memory polymer (SMP) employing vinyl-capped Fe3O4 nanoparticles as netpoints that determine the permanent shape for remote activation has been presented. The new design effectively prevents the nanoparticles from moving and re-aggregating in a polymer matrix and guarantees the stability of the SMP networks when a high temperature and external stress are applied. Therefore, durable shape memory performance is obtained during the programmed deformation-recovery processes. Meanwhile, a homogeneous distribution of vinyl-capped Fe3O4 nanoparticles achieves uniform heat generation and heat transfer in the alternating magnetic field. Consequently, the novel remote-activated SMP also exhibits a fast magnetic responsiveness compared to the SMPs physically dispersed with Fe3O4 nanoparticles.