Synergistic effect of carbon nanofiber and carbon nanopaper on shape memory polymer composite

The present work studies the synergistic effect of carbon nanofiber (CNF) and carbon nanopaper on the shape recovery of shape memory polymer (SMP) composite. The combination of CNF and carbon nanopaper was used to improve the thermal and electrical conductivities of the SMP composite. The carbon nanopaper was coated on the surface of the SMP composite in order to achieve the actuation by electrical resistive heating. CNFs were blended with the SMP resin to improve the thermal conductivity to facilitate the heat transfer from the nanopaper to the underlying SMP composite to accelerate the electroactive responses.