Study on Electro‐Thermal Dual Response Shape Memory and Strain Sensing Properties of PLA‐PCL/CBs Composites

ABSTRACT To address the monotony of the response mode of polylactic acid (PLA)‐polycaprolactone (PCL) block copolymer shape memory effect, conductive carbon black (CB) nanoparticles are added to the material, and their influence on the shape memory performance of PLA‐PCL/CB composites is studied. The results show that when the CB content is higher than 8 wt%, the material has the performance of electro‐induced shape memory, while with the CB content of 15 wt%, the electro‐induced shape recovery rate is the highest. In addition, it is also found that the electrical conductivity of PLA‐PCL/CB changes significantly with the material's geometry, making it suitable for the preparation of strain sensors. Furthermore, at different stages of the shape memory cycle, the material has different sensitivity to strain sensing. The gauge factors at the original shape, temporary shape, and shape recovery stages are 3.32, 1.77, and 1.67, respectively. Therefore, the combination of the two functions of shape memory and strain sensing allows the material to be applied in developing smart sensor components.