Conductive Shape Memory Polymer Composite Incorporated with Hybrid Fillers: Electrical, Mechanical, and Shape Memory Properties

Abstract

In this article, separated carbon nanotubes (CNTs) aggregations were bridged by short carbon fibers in the conductive polymer composites, where a styrene-based shape memory polymer (SMP) was selected as the matrix resin. Due to the synergistic effect of hybrid fillers, the electrical resistivity of the SMP composites was significantly decreased in comparison with those with only CNTs embedded. Benefits offered by the hybrid fillers to the electrical, mechanical, and shape memory properties of the developed conductive SMP composites were experimentally demonstrated in detail. The additionally acquired shape memory capability could expand the application scope of traditional conductive polymer composites.