Electroactive shape memory performance of polyurethane composite having homogeneously dispersed and covalently crosslinked carbon nanotubes

The electroactive shape memory of carbon nanotube-filled polyurethane composites, prepared by conventional blending, in situ and cross-linking polymerization, is studied in terms of the dispersion of the tubes. The covalently bonded tubes are homogeneously dispersed within the polyurethane by introducing carboxyl groups on the sidewall of the tubes and selecting a cross-linking polymerization method. The resultant composites, which have 92% shape retention and 95% shape recovery, are expected to be used as preferential materials in various actuators.