Self-recovery and self-conducting epoxy-based shape memory polymer microactuator

Abstract

This paper introduces a self-conducting microactuator based on carbon black (CB) -embedded SMP, offering prospects for more precise and controllable microelectronic devices. CB doping allows adjustment of the overall resistance of SMP (approximately 70 Ω), ensuring efficient and uniform heating performance. However, the incorporation of a significant amount of CB particles adversely affects the mechanical properties. The successful doping of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) allows for an overall improvement in performance while maintaining electrical properties. The prepared CB-CNT-SMP (CC-SMP) composite material exhibited rapid deformation (25 s), thermal stability (uniform heating), and outstanding shape memory performance. Notably, this CC-SMP achieves dual triggering through both electrical and thermal stimuli. The shape change rate of the CC-SMP at 4 V aligns with the results obtained at 70 °C, indicating that the doped particles do not compromise the deformation ability. We have fabricated shape memory-based self-driven electronic devices by controlling the voltage and structural design. The proposed CC-SMP can change its morphology on the basis of voltage and temperature, demonstrating reliable self-recovery capabilities.