Shape memory epoxy nanocomposites with carbonaceous fillers and in-situ generated silver nanoparticles

Aim of this work is to develop a novel epoxy based nanocomposite and to analyse its shape memory behavior. In particular, silver nanoparticles are in-situ generated within an epoxy resin subsequently filled with both carbon black (CB) and carbon nanofibers (NFs) at different ratios and at a total amount of 4 wt%. Differential scanning calorimetry shows how the introduction of both CB and NF induces a slight decrease of the glass transition temperature (T g ) of the samples. The T g drop due to nanofiller addition determines a decrease of both flexural modulus and stress at yield with respect to the neat resin, especially at elevated CB concentrations, while the presence of Ag nanoparticles plays a positive effect on the flexural properties. The best mechanical properties can be detected at a CF/NF ratio of 50%, coupled with a noticeable decrease of the electrical resistivity down to 10 2 Ω·cm and an interesting heating capability through Joule effect. The electro-mechanical shape-memory characterization under bending configuration demonstrates how it is possible to obtain an almost complete shape recovery after 60 s under an applied voltage of 220 V. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 59:694–703, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers.