High-performance shape-memory-polymer (SMP) composites via optimization of multidimensional graphitic-carbon fillers and development of heat-fire-and-smoke alarm devices using SMP composites

High-performance shape-memory-polymer (SMP) composites via optimization of multidimensional graphitic-carbon fillers and development of heat-fire-and-smoke alarm devices using SMP composites

Advanced Composites and Hybrid Materials

10.1007/s42114-024-00978-4

https://doi.org/10.1007/s42114-024-00978-4

Jeet Vishwakarma, Shubham Jaiswal, Chetna Dhand, Reuben J. Yeo, Hui Ru Tan, Rajeev Kumar, Pradip Kumar, Narendra Singh, Alka Mishra, Ajay Naik, Avanish K. Srivastava, Neeraj Dwivedi

Fire alarm device, actuators and sensors, Shape memory polymers, graphitic carbons, thermo-responsive polymers, tribology

24 October 2024

Vishwakarma, J., Jaiswal, S., Dhand, C., Yeo, R. J., Tan, H. R., Kumar, R., Kumar, P., Singh, N., Mishra, A., Naik, A., Srivastava, A. K., & Dwivedi, N. (2024). High-performance shape-memory-polymer (SMP) composites via optimization of multidimensional graphitic-carbon fillers and development of heat-fire-and-smoke alarm devices using SMP composites. Advanced Composites and Hybrid Materials, 7(6). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42114-024-00978-4

Understanding how sp2 carbons of different dimensionality engineer the shape memory polymer is crucial for fundamental science and developing next generation technologies. Further, with modernization, widespread adoption of rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, as well as hotter, drier weather attributed to climate change, have indirectly led to a globally increasing trend of fire-related accidents. To prevent such accidents from causing large-scale destruction and casualties, the rapid detection of a fire event is extremely important. In this work, we have developed mechanically robust shape-memory polyurethane (PU) composites containing graphitic-carbon fillers that exhibit good thermo-responsiveness. Reinforcement of the PU matrix by three types of graphitic-carbon fillers, namely 3D graphite, 2D multilayer graphene and 1D multiwall carbon nanotubes, yielded 36–47% and 20–29% faster shape-recovery in hot-water and hot-air environments, respectively, with minimum shape recovery time of 14 s in former and 106 s in latter environments, thermal conductivity enhancement of 15% to 55%, enhanced shape-recovery ratio (up to 100%), increased shape recovery stress by ~ 34–96%, lowered coefficient friction by 2–3 times, and improved wear resistance with respect to pristine PU. We found that a low concentration (~0.02–0.2 wt%) of all three types of fillers was adequate to enhance the thermal conductivity and shape recovery ratio while maintaining the composite’s stretchability, whereas higher-filler concentrations (~1.0–2.0 wt%) were required to substantially increase the shape recovery speed and improve the tribological properties. Finally, PU-graphite composites were integrated into two embodiments of fire alarm device prototypes that we developed and were found to work efficiently and reliably under various simulated environments and field tests.

Publisher Copyright

This research is supported by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), India, through the project MLP 303, and through the GATE-JRF fellowship.

This version of the article has been accepted for publication, after peer review (when applicable) and is subject to Springer Nature’s AM terms of use, but is not the Version of Record and does not reflect post-acceptance improvements, or any corrections. The Version of Record is available online at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s42114-024-00978-4

https://oar.a-star.edu.sg/communities-collections/articles/21871

2522-0128
2522-0136

Institute of Materials Research and Engineering