Bioinspired mechanically adaptive polymer nanocomposites with water-activated shape-memory effect
Abstract
New biomimetic, stimuli-responsive mechanically adaptive nanocomposites, which change their mechanical properties upon exposure to water and display a water-activated shape-memory effect, were investigated. These materials were produced by introducing rigid cotton cellulose nanowhiskers (CNWs) into a rubbery polyurethane (PU) matrix. A series of materials with CNW concentrations of 2–20% v/v was produced by solution blending CNWs and the PU. Films were subsequently prepared by compression molding. The introduction of CNWs led to an increase of the tensile storage moduli ( E ′) in the dry nanocomposites. The level of reinforcement scaled with the CNW content and followed the Halpin–Kardos model below and the percolation model above the percolation limit of ∼7% v/v. Upon exposure to water, the materials with a CNW content above the percolation limit swelled slightly and showed a decrease of E ′, for example from 1 GPa to 144 MPa in the case of the material with 20% v/v CNWs. This effect is the result of competitive hydrogen bonding between water and CNWs, which reduces the hydrogen bonding between the CNWs and weakens the CNW network that drives the reinforcement in the dry state. The mechanically adaptive behavior and a high elasticity of the wet materials are the basis for a shape-memory effect that uses water as the stimulus. Polarized Raman spectroscopy revealed that in the temporary shape, generated by stretching and drying water-swollen nanocomposites, the CNWs display a significant level of uniaxial orientation.
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Water-activated mechanically adaptive PU SMPCs containing CNCs have been described in the literature.
“Water-activated mechanically adaptive PU SMPCs containing CNCs have also been described in the literature [183].”
From Shape-memory polymers for multiple applications in the materials world (2016) · cites this paper as [183]
Upon deionized water exposure, water-activated mechanically adaptive PU SMPCs containing CNCs swelled slightly.
“upon deionized water exposure they swelled slightly.”
From Shape-memory polymers for multiple applications in the materials world (2016) · cites this paper as [183]
In their dry state, water-activated mechanically adaptive PU SMPCs containing CNCs possessed enhanced mechanical properties when nanofiller content was above the percolation limit.
“In their dry state the materials possessed enhanced mechanical properties (nanofiller content above the percolation limit)”
From Shape-memory polymers for multiple applications in the materials world (2016) · cites this paper as [183]
CNCs offer a possibility to produce water-sensitive SMPs whose triggering mechanism is completely athermal compared to traditional systems where water or another solvent is used as a plasticizer to lower Tg and lead to shape recovery at room temperature or lower.
“It is worth mentioning that CNCs offer a possibility to produce water-sensitive SMPs whose triggering mechanism is completely athermal compared to the traditional systems where water (or other solvent) is used as plasticizers in order to lower Tg of polymer and leading to the materials shape recovery at room temperature or lower.”
From Shape-memory polymers for multiple applications in the materials world (2016) · cites this paper as [183]
The swelling effect allowed water-induced shape recovery and led to a decrease in storage modulus values due to competitive hydrogen bonding between water molecules and the nanofillers or the nanowhiskers-rubbery matrix network.
“This effect allowed the materials water-induced shape recovery and led to a decrease in the storage modulus values due to the competitive hydrogen bonding between water molecules and the nanofillers or the nanowhiskers-rubbery matrix network.”
From Shape-memory polymers for multiple applications in the materials world (2016) · cites this paper as [183]
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- Authors
- Mendez, J., Annamalai, P. K., Eichhorn, S. J., Rusli, R., Rowan, S. J., Foster, E. J., & Weder, C.
- Affiliations
- University of Fribourg (CH)
- University of Manchester (GB)
- Case Western Reserve University (US)
- Corresponding author
- Foster, E. Johan
- Weder, Christoph
- ORCID
- Venue
- Macromolecules
- Publisher
- American Chemical Society (ACS)
- Published
- 2011-08-03
- Volume
- 44
- Issue
- 17
- Pages
- 6827-6835
- ISSN
- 0024-9297 (ISSN-L)
- 1520-5835
- OpenAlex
- W2030791629
- Cited by
- 319
- References
- 58
- Citations by year
- 2026: 5 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 10 · 2023: 12 · 2022: 13 · 2021: 24 · 2020: 20 · 2019: 34 · 2018: 39 · 2017: 33 · 2016: 34 · 2015: 21 · 2014: 26 · 2013: 26 · 2012: 14
- FWCI
- 38.55
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Macromolecules (publishedVersion)
- reroDoc Digital Library (submittedVersion)
- Bristol Research (University of Bristol) (submittedVersion)
- Explore Bristol Research (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Engineering › Mechanical Engineering › Advanced Materials and Mechanics
- Physical Sciences › Materials Science › Biomaterials › Advanced Cellulose Research Studies
- Physical Sciences › Materials Science › Polymers and Plastics › Polymer composites and self-healing
- Keywords
- cellulose nanocrystals, polyurethane nanocomposites, stimuli-responsive materials, mechanical reinforcement, percolation threshold, hydrogen bonding, water swelling, uniaxial orientation, biomimetic materials
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