Shape memory nanocomposites of polyester/fullerene, polyester/graphene and polyester/carbon nanotube—state-of-the-art and progresses

Abstract

Polyesters are thermoplastic polymers having ester functionalities in the backbone. Research on polyesters have led to the formation of nanocomposites with various nanoparticles including the carbon nanoforms. High-tech polyester nanocomposites have been applied in wide raging fields of electronics, space, automotives, biomedical, and other applied sectors. Among smart materials, stimuli responsive polymers and nanocomposites have been found to encompass broad span of technical fields. This ground-breaking review has been designed to present state-of-the-art ofshape memory polyester/nanocarbon nanocomposites. In this context, essential polymers explored so far include poly(lactic acid), polycarbonate, and others. Among nanofiller, fullerene, graphene, and carbon nanotube have been focused to study polyester/nanocarbon systems. In this context, the shape memory polyester nanomaterials of graphene,carbon nanotube, and fullerene have been developed. Fullerene nanofiller filled shape memory polyesters were mostly processed through solution, in situ and melt routes. Poly(lactic acid)/fullerene systems revealed electroactive shape memory effect with very low recovery time < 10s. Stimuli responsive polyester with graphene nanofiller were mostly solution processed. The thermo-responsive polyester/graphene nanocomposite had shape fixity 90–99%, whereas shape recovery of up to 100%. Carbon nanotube in shape memory polyesters may lead to electric actuations in 20–40 V, recovery ratio of 80–100%, shape fixity 80–90%, and low shape recovery time 5–15 s. By changing the type of nanocarbon, loading level, and polyester backbone, shape recovery response and ratio were considerably affected. These nanocomposites have exposed active responses toward heat, voltage, light, mechanical, and electrical impacts. For future advancement in this field, novel nanostructural design, combinations, fabrication, interactions, and shape memory mechanisms need to be investigated comprehensively.