Energy Storage Capacity of Shape Memory Natural Rubber Nanocomposite Films

Abstract

Shape memory polymers (SMPs) are smart and responsive materials that hold great promise for various emerging applications. They possess the capability to perform reversible changes when exposed to external stimuli such as temperature, pH, light and vapor. Demand for SMPs derived from sustainable sources is significant due to the increasing scarcity of fossil resources. Shape memory natural rubber (SMNR) has shown shape memory behaviour achieving shape fixity (Sf) of 76.7% and shape recovery (Sr) of 100% with relatively poor mechanical properties. In this present study, the shape memory behaviour of starch nanocrystals (SNC) reinforced rubber composite films is investigated. To this end, the emphasis is largely on evaluating the energy stored during the shape memory cycles and quantifying the energy storing efficiency of the rubber nanocomposite films. The sustainable SMNR is developed based on adopting natural rubber latex (NRL) and SNC as the raw materials. The shape memory effect (SME) of the rubber nanocomposite films is effectively improved with an increasing amount of SNC. Excellent SME of the rubber nanocomposite films is evidenced by high Sf of 95.8% and Sr of 100%. On the other hand, SMNR is deemed to be an excellent material for energy storage application as they are capable of storing energy up to 19.7 MJ/m3 with storing efficiency of 79%.