Electro-Induced Shape Memory Properties of Short Carbon Fiber Reinforced Composite Structure

Shape memory polymers (SMPs) have attracted extensive attention owing to their excellent properties and wide applications. However, for the traditional thermally induced SMPs, the inconvenient induction conditions may limit its further application. In this study, a new short carbon fiber reinforced composite structure with electro-induced shape memory properties was developed. The short carbon fiber is cast on poly(lactic acid) substrate, and the integrity and stability of the conductive network are maintained by poly(vinyl alcohol). The conductivity of the structure reached 66.67 Ω/m, and the temperature of the substrate could be higher than its glass transition temperature under 3 V voltage, indicating that the electric heating manner was feasible and stable. The composite structure could reach 98.72% shape fixity rate and 0.34 N recovery force. A smart gripper based on the composite structure was designed, which successfully grabbed a ball with a mass of 11.13 g. This study provides a low-cost and efficient preparation method for short carbon fiber reinforced composite structure, which is hopeful to promote the development and application of electro-induced shape memory polymers.