An overview of the field's current research on stimulus-responsive shape memory polymer composites and their blends, as well as future research directions.

Corresponding Author:

Manish Badgayan
Department of Biosciense, Delhi University, Delhi, India
E-mail: badgayan.manish12@gmail.com

Received: 17-Aug-2024, Manuscript No. fmci-24-145677; Editor assigned: 19-Aug-2024, PreQC No. fmci-24-145677 (PQ); Reviewed: 25-Aug-2022, QC No. fmci-24-145677 (Q); Revised: 27- Aug-2024, Manuscript No. fmci-24-145677 (R); Published: 30-Aug-2024

Abstract

Stimulus-responsive Shape Memory Polymer (SMP) composites are an emerging and rapidly evolving field within materials science, where polymers are designed to revert to a predetermined shape when exposed to external triggers like heat, light, or moisture. This review explores the most recent advancements in SMP composites and their blends, focusing on significant improvements in their design, functionality, and practical applications. Current research has been geared toward enhancing these materials' responsiveness, durability, and biocompatibility, which broadens their potential use in biomedical devices, smart textiles, and adaptive structures. The overview also addresses the challenges of incorporating multiple stimuli-responsive features into a single composite and emphasizes the necessity for more sustainable and scalable production methods. Future research directions are likely to include the creation of multifunctional SMPs, the development of hybrid materials that merge the strengths of polymers and inorganic elements, and the use of machine learning to predict and optimize the performance of these composites under various conditions. This abstract summarizes the current landscape and future prospects of research in stimulus-responsive SMP composites, highlighting the opportunities for innovation and expanded applications across diverse industries.

Keywords

Shape memory polymer composite • Blends • Smart material • Mechanical characterization • Thermal characterization • Shape memory behavior

Introduction

Long chains of repeating monomer units, which can be synthetic or naturally occurring, make up polymers . Hemp, shellac, wool, silk, cellulose, and so forth are examples of common natural polymers, polyethylene, polystyrene, poly-vinyl chloride, Teflon, epoxy, nylon, and so forth are examples of common synthetic polymers. Due to their weak mechanical and thermal properties, virgin polymers have limited use. However, these properties can be improved by reinforcing appropriate nanofillers in virgin polymer matrices, often known as polymer composites. When exposed to external stimuli, such as temperature changes, moisture, magnetic fields, or electricity, Shape Memory Polymers (SMPs) are a class of stimuliresponsive polymers that have the ability to revert to their original shape. The shape memory polymers that have been investigated the most are thermoresponsive SMPs. Because the hard segments limit the molecular chains' ability to move, Figure 1a shows that SMPs have a stable, relaxed structure at lower temperatures. The soft segments become more mobile when the polymers are heated above their Glass Transition temperature (Tg), which enables the molecular chains to reorient and form new interactions. By allowing the polymer to deform and then revert to its previous shape after briefly cooling, this transition helps to provide the shape memory effect. The combination of polymer and metal characteristics in SMPs is explain, where metal ion diffusion is controlled to create a network with gradient plasticity. Advances in 4D printing allow for more exact control over the construction of SMPs. How UV light may activate light-responsive SMPs, which makes them perfect for wearable electronics and health monitoring devices. SMPs' exceptional qualities, flexibility, recoverability, light weight, ease of manufacture, and environmental friendliness have led to their application in a variety of sectors, including sensors, actuators, and remote sensing devices. Despite having the qualities mentioned above, SMPs have drawbacks that limit their wider usage, including as weak mechanical properties, a long response time, and a limited recovery force. Thus, to further enhance SMP performance, they can be blended with nanoscale fillers to create what are known as Shape Memory Polymer Nanocomposites (SMPNCs). These nanocomposites may enhance the mechanical characteristics, thermal stability, and shape recovery potential of such materials. Thermo-plastic SMPs have properties that make them easy to process and that allow them to return to their original shape when heated. On the other hand, compared to their thermoplastic equivalents, thermoset SMPs can restore their shape more effectively due to the crosslink network structure. The virgin SMP's exorbitant cost and poor mechanical strength, however, are its drawbacks. Polymer mixes are developed in order to solve these problems. To create novel materials with better mechanical properties than those of individual polymers, blends are composed of two or more different polymers. By combining two or more polymers one of which can be expensive and the other might be inexpensive polymer blends might provide an affordable option without sacrificing the intended functionality. Among the most often used materials as polymer blend materials include polymers like Polyethylene (PE), Polypropylene (PP), Polystyrene (PS), Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), Polylactic Acid (PLA), and Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET). Polymer blends have the potential to be expanded into the SMP category, since they can offer superior mechanical strength and shape memory effect. The creation of SMP composites and blends has given rise to a new class of high-performance polymeric materials with unique characteristics. Blends and composites of SMP enable enhancements to their qualities and expansion of their uses. For instance,adding elastomers can enhance the mechanical properties and flexibility of SMPs. But it's important to choose the blend material in SMPs that best suits the intended use. The list of papers on SMPs published in the Scopus database between 1943 and 2023. An exponential increase in publications was seen, and 861 documents on SMPs are currently accessible. China has produced the most publications on SMPs, followed by the United States, Germany, India, Japan, and other countries, and illustrates. The type of paper published on SMP material in the Scopus database. Journals account for over 69% of the publications on SMP material, with conference papers, review articles, book chapters, and other forms coming in second. It was observed that SMP research has been growing quickly and garnering a lot of interest from academics. This study is distinctive in that it offers a comprehensive overview of the state of the art in SMP composites research as well as its prospects for the future.

Conclusion

Significant progress has been made in the study of stimulus-responsive Shape Memory Polymer (SMP) composites and their blends, focusing on materials that can react to various stimuli such as temperature, light, and electrical input. These advancements have broadened the potential applications of SMPs in areas like biomedical devices, aerospace, and smart fabrics.

Looking ahead, research will likely concentrate on further enhancing the mechanical strength, durability, and responsiveness of these materials. This could involve experimenting with new polymer matrices, creating composites that respond to multiple stimuli, and improving the precision of shape recovery processes. Additionally, the integration of advanced manufacturing techniques like 3D printing with SMP technology is expected to lead to the development of more complex and tailored applications.

In summary, future research in this field will aim to enhance the effectiveness and range of SMP composites, fostering innovation across various technological domains.