Electrical actuation properties of reduced graphene oxide paper/epoxy-based shape memory composites

In order to explore the enabled design principles of electrically driven epoxy-based shape memory (ER) composites, reduced graphene oxide paper (RGOP) was used for manufacturing the material. Shape memory effect is induced by electrical resistive heating of RGOP possessing excellent heat conductive property and serving as a conductive layer to transmit heat to the polymer. The temperature distribution and shape recovery behavior of the composite have been recorded with infrared video. The investigation on shape recovery behavior of reduced graphene oxide paper/epoxy-based shape memory composites (RGOP/ER) reveals that the shape recovery speed increases with increased applied voltage. It is worth noting that the recoverability of the composite is approximately 100% taking only 5 s under 6 V, which is more energy saving than the previously reported data. The electrical actuation shape recovery rate of the composite can be controlled by programming the synergistic effect between the mass ratio and the applied voltage. This work provides a feasible route to construct efficient electrically actuated shape memory composites and to expand their potential applications. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.