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TPU/EVA shape memory composites with improved properties fabricated via synergic incorporation of EVA-g-MAH compatibilizer and functional graphene oxide nanosheets

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Abstract

To fabricate the thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) composites with excellent mechanical, thermal and shape memory properties, shape memory composites containing (TPU)/ethylene–vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA)/EVA grafting maleic anhydride (EVA-g-MAH)/functional graphene oxide nanosheets (fGONs) were designed, prepared and reported. The effects of VA contents (VA15 and VA40) in EVA on the compatibility of TPU/EVA blends were first evaluated and based on this, TPU/EVA/EVA-g-MAH/fGONs composites were investigated. The contact angle analysis revealed better interface compatibility of TPU/EVA40 compared to others, and fGONs tended to be distributed more in the TPU phase TPU phase. The enhanced compatibility of EVA and TPU can be attributed to the chemical interactions between EVA-g-MAH and TPU, as confirmed by FTIR and FESEM analysis. Increasing the proportion of EVA content in the TPU/EVA blend resulted in increasing elastic modulus. The mechanical characteristics of TPU composites containing GO and fGONs were enhanced compared with TPU/EVA and TPU/EVA/EVA-g-MAH. The shape memory performance examination indicated that EVA improved the shape fixation rate (Rf) of TPU, and the Rf was 147.3% higher than that of TPU. By incorporating 5% EVA-g-MAH, the blend demonstrated an increased Rf value of 79.60%, alongside a reduced shape recovery rate (Rr) of 75.5%. After adding fGONs, both the Rf and Rr were increased. The Rf and Rr of TPU/EVA/EVA-g-MAH/GO-IPDI composite reached 92.29% and 82.23%. DSC and DMA analysis revealed the glass transition temperature, storage modulus, and loss modulus of the composites were increased after adding fGONs.

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Supportive data for the findings of this study is accessible from the corresponding author upon reasonable requests.

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Acknowledgements

This work was financial supported by the Cooperation project of Chunhui plan of the ministry of education of China (Z2023XXX, Z2017070); Interface innovation research studio project for College Students of Xihua University (2019-07); Construction project of “Double Carbon” material innovation research studio of Xihua University; College students innovation and entrepreneurship project of Sichuan Province (S202110650004, S202110650005) and “Xihua Cup” innovation and entrepreneurship training program of Xihua University (xhb2023067, xhb2023068).

Funding

Interface innovation research studio project for College Students of Xihua University, 2019-07, Jun Bian, Construction project of “Double Carbon” material innovation research studio of Xihua University, S202110650004, Jun Bian, S202110650005, Jun Bian, College students innovation and entrepreneurship project of Sichuan Province, S202110650004, Jun Bian, S202110650005, Jun Bian, Xihua Cup” innovation and entrepreneurship training program of Xihua University, xhb2023067, Jun Bian,xhb2023068, Jun Bian, the Cooperation project of Chunhui plan of the ministry of education of China, Z2023XXX, Jun Bian, Z2017070, Jun Bian.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Materials Science and Engineering, Xihua University, Chengdu, 610039, Sichuan, China

    Wei Zhao, Hai Lan Lin, Yi Guo, Tong Tong Jin, Xin Kang Li, Shang Ke Yang, Ai Ping Zhang & Jun Bian

  2. College of Polymer Science and Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China

    Dai Qiang Chen

Authors
  1. Wei Zhao
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  2. Hai Lan Lin
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  3. Yi Guo
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  4. Tong Tong Jin
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  7. Ai Ping Zhang
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  8. Jun Bian
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Contributions

Wei Zhao: Conceptualization, experimentation, analysis, manuscript writing. Yi Guo, Tong Tong Jin, Xin Kang Li, Shang Ke Yang, Ai Ping Zhang: Conceptualization, validation, review. Hai Lan Lin, Jun Bian, Dai Qiang Chen: Conceptualization, validation, writing- review & editing, supervision, secured financial funding.

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Correspondence to Hai Lan Lin or Jun Bian.

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Highlights

• A facile strategy through incorporating EVA-g-MAH compatibilizer and functional graphene oxide nanosheets (fGONs) to improve the compatibility of TPU/EVA blends to prepare TPU shape memory composites has been proposed.

• A comprehensive investigation was conducted on TPU shape memory composites, focusing on enhancing their mechanical, thermal, and phase morphology was controlled to enhance the mechanical, thermal, and shape memory properties.

• The chemical interactions between EVA-g-MAH and TPU, fGONs and TPU contributed to the increasing compatibility and property improvements of TPU shape memory composites.

• This study introduces an innovative approach to fabricate TPU shape memory composites and is anticipated to inspire future research and development in the field of intelligent materials and shape memory composites.

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Zhao, W., Lin, H.L., Guo, Y. et al. TPU/EVA shape memory composites with improved properties fabricated via synergic incorporation of EVA-g-MAH compatibilizer and functional graphene oxide nanosheets. J Polym Res 31, 74 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10965-024-03929-1

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