MXene/epoxy-based shape memory nanocomposites with highly stable thermal-mechanical coupling effect for constructing an effective information transmission medium

Abstract

Information security is essential for any country, enterprise, and institution in the digital age. Shape memory polymers (SMP) and their composites provide attractive candidates for encrypted information transmission since they are an integral branch of intelligent materials. Herein, MXene/waterborne epoxy (WEP) shape memory nanocomposites were fabricated by a simple preparation process and employed as information transmission media. The results showed that the MXene/WEP nanocomposites noticeably improved mechanical properties, creep resistance, and thermal-mechanical coupling cycle stability while maintaining excellent shape memory properties compared to the pristine WEP which ensured nanocomposites’ stimulus-response signal are stable and reproducible. Furthermore, an information encryption transmission system was constructed by customizing the encoding correspondence among the information units, thermal-mechanical coupling stimulus conditions, and stimulus-response signals of the nanocomposites. Multiple security strategies to defend this system including information steganography, coded encryption, and the shape memory effect, which dramatically enhancing communication security. Finally, the application potential of the nanocomposites for encrypted transmission of text and image information were demonstrated. This work provides a new strategy for the application of SMP in information transmission and security.