PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to prepare novel electroactive shape memory nanocomposites based on graphene and study the thermomechanical property and shape memory behavior of nanocomposites.Design/methodology/approachGraphene was dispersed in N,N-dimethylformamide, and the mixture was spooned into epoxy-cyanate ester mixtures to form graphene/epoxy-cyanate ester nanocomposites. The nanocomposites were deformed under 150°C, and shape recovery test was conducted under an electric voltage of 20-100 V.FindingsGraphene is used to improve the shape recovery behavior and performance of shape-memory polymers (SMPs) for enhanced electrical actuation effectiveness. With increment of graphene content, the shape recovery speed of nanocomposites increases significantly.Research limitations/implicationsA simple way for fabricating electro-activated SMP nanocomposites has been developed by using graphene.Originality/valueThe outcome of this study will help to fabricate the SMP nanocomposites with high electrical actuation effectiveness and improve the shape recovery speed of the nanocomposites.