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A novel multi-triggered natural rubber (NR)/beeswax (BW)/carbon nanotube (CNT) shape memory bio-nanocomposite

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Abstract

The shape memory properties of sulfur crosslinked natural rubber/beeswax (NR/BW) bio-blends and nanocomposites at three blending compositions (8:2, 6:4, and 4:6) were investigated. The melting temperature of beeswax was used as the switching temperature in the one-way shape memory process. The addition of multi-walled carbon nanotube (CNT) into the NR/BW matrix was helpful in not only improving the beeswax dispersion but also serving the near-infrared absorber to remotely trigger the shape memory process. Most surprisingly, the crystal orientation of beeswax in the natural rubber matrix was parallel to the stretching direction. In addition, the NR/BW blends and nanocomposites demonstrated the THF and acetone solvent vapor-triggered reversible shape memory behavior, which was hardly achieved without applying external stress and pre-soaking treatment as seen in the literature. This simple blending approach offers tremendous possibilities to prepare bio-based blends and nanocomposites with reversible shape memory properties.

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Acknowledgments

A grant-in-aid from the R.O.C government under MOST 105-2221-E-197-027-MY3 is greatly appreciated.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, National I-Lan University, I-Lan, 260, Taiwan, Republic of China

    Sun-Mou Lai, Geng-Lun Guo, Yi-Cheng Xie, Jian-Ming Chen, Dun-Yu Xu, Yu-En Wei & Zhou-Rong Cao

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  1. Sun-Mou Lai
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Lai, SM., Guo, GL., Xie, YC. et al. A novel multi-triggered natural rubber (NR)/beeswax (BW)/carbon nanotube (CNT) shape memory bio-nanocomposite. J Polym Res 27, 283 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10965-020-02256-5

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