Dual responsive shape memory polymer/clay nanocomposites

In this study, a novel dual-responsive shape-memory polymer/clay nanocomposite is successfully prepared using in situ polymerization approach with the presence of exfoliated clay platelets. With the adjustable glass transition temperature, the nanocomposites have been used to construct triple shape memory devices via two-step polymerization methods. The physical crosslinking network formed by strong hydrogen interactions between polymer chains and clay platelets contribute to a significant enhancement in the mechanical properties of the resultant nanocomposites, which ensured that they can lift the load of 200 times its own weight upon exposure to infrared light (IR). Incorporation of clays into polymer matrix effectively improved the hydrophilic performance of materials, thus the water-induced shape recovery process of the nanocomposites can be finished within 6 s with excellent recovery ratio. Therefore, the preparation of dual responsive shape memory polymer/clay nanocomposites pave a new way to design and fabricate high mechanical shape memory materials with dual triggering mechanism.