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Electroactive Thermally-Induced Shape Memory PEG-Plasticized Polymer Nanocomposites Based on TPU/PLA with CNC and MWCNT

delete2026-07-23
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PRE
AI
S
Sara KhanMohammadi
F
Fatemeh Goharpey *
A
Ali-Asghar Katbab
DOI:10.1007/s10924-026-03916-1delete
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Abstract

Abstract

En 中文
Responsive polymers have attracted considerable attention over the past two decades due to their potential in advanced functional applications. The practical implementation of these materials often requires multicomponent systems comprising polymer blends and functional nanofillers. In this study, a highly efficient stimuli-responsive nanocomposite was developed, based on thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) and polylactic acid (PLA) plasticized with low-molecular-weight polyethylene glycol (PEG). Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) as a biocompatible and renewable nanofiller and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) as a conductive nanofiller were incorporated to enhance mechanical properties and electroactivity. The results demonstrated that the nanofillers effectively regulated phase morphology, elasticity, and shape memory behavior, with the optimal performance achieved through the hybrid integration of these nanofillers. The addition of PEG reduced the glass transition temperature of PLA by 19 °C, thereby improving the recovery ratio. Moreover, the PLA matrix exhibited excellent shape fixity performance, with a fixity ratio of at least 96.8%. The optimized nanocomposite achieved a rapid electroactive response, with recovery ratios of 82.1% for the unplasticized and 90.2% for the plasticized nanocomposites. These findings underscore the potential of synergistic CNC-MWCNT incorporation for designing advanced stimuli-responsive materials. A novel stimuli-responsive nanocomposite based on TPU/PLA plasticized with PEG is successfully developed. PEG suppresses PLA’s Tg by 19 °C and significantly improves the recovery ratio of the nanocomposite. Synergistic incorporation of CNCs and MWCNTs enhances mechanical reinforcement and electroactivity. The nanocomposites exhibit excellent shape- memory behavior with a fixity ratio of at least 96.8%. The plasticized hybrid nanocomposite demonstrates a rapid electroactive response, showing recovery ratios of up to 90.2%.
Keywords:
Shape memory behavior
Fixity ratio
Recovery ratio
TPU/PLA blend
Polyethylene glycol (PEG)
Stimuli-responsive nanocomposite

Journal

Journal of Polymers and the Environment cover
Journal of Polymers and the Environment
IF:
5
Papers:
472
Citations:
1.5W

Organization

A
amirkabir university of technology
Scholars:
903
Papers: 470
Citations: 0
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