Fabrication and characterization of Trans‐1,4‐polyisoprene/carbon nanotubes nanocomposites with thermo‐ and electro‐active shape memory effects

Abstract Trans‐1,4‐polyisoprene/single wall carbon nanotubes nanocomposites (TPI/SWCNT) nanocomposites with thermo‐ and electro‐active shape memory performance were prepared via solution blending and vulcanization. Herein, the mechanical, thermo‐mechanical, electric conductivity properties, thermo‐ and electro‐active shape memory properties of pure TPI and TPI/SWCNT nanocomposites were investigated. It was demonstrated that the addition of SWCNT into the TPI matrix can improve its crystallinity, crystallization temperature and storage modulus characteristics, and form a two‐crystal melting peak. Compared with the pure TPI, the TPI/SWCNT nanocomposites need more time to recover to their initial shape under thermo stimulus, and the recovery ratio of TPI/SWCNT nanocomposites with 2.5 wt% SWCNT was about 92%. Moreover, pure TPI and TPI/SWCNT nanocomposites with SWCNT content of up to 2.0 wt% under 30 V could not recover under electro stimulus, but the TPI/SWCNT nanocomposites with 2.5 wt% SWCNT displayed electro‐active shape recovery property with a recovery ratio of 87.5%, because a certain amount of SWCNT can provide joule heat to melt the crystals completely and unfreeze cross‐linking network of TPI.