Synergistic effect of carbon nanofiber and sub-micro filamentary nickel nanostrand on the shape memory polymer nanocomposite

    Authors

    H. B. Lu; J. H. Gou; J. S. Leng;S. Y. Du

    Comments

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    Abbreviated Journal Title

    Smart Mater. Struct.

    Keywords

    Instruments & Instrumentation; Materials Science, Multidisciplinary

    Abstract

    This work studies the synergistic effect of carbon nanofiber (CNF) and sub-micro filamentary nickel nanostrand on the thermal and electrical properties, as well as the electro-active shape memory behavior, of a shape memory polymer (SMP) nanocomposite. The combination of electrical CNF and electromagnetic nickel nanostrand is used to render insulating thermo-responsive SMPs conductive. Subsequently, the shape memory behavior of the SMP can be activated by the electrical resistive heating. It is shown that sub-micro filamentary nickel-coated nanostrands significantly improved the electrical conductivity to facilitate the actuation of the SMP nanocomposite despite the low nanostrand volume content and low electrical voltage. Also the CNFs are blended with the SMP resin to facilitate the dispersion of nanostrands and improve the thermal conductivity to accelerate the electro- and thermo-active responses.

    Journal Title

    Smart Materials & Structures

    Volume

    20

    Issue/Number

    3

    Publication Date

    1-1-2011

    Document Type

    Article

    Language

    English

    First Page

    7

    WOS Identifier

    WOS:000287962200017

    ISSN

    0964-1726

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