Functionally graded carbon nanotube and nafion/silica nanofibre for electrical actuation of carbon fibre reinforced shape memory polymer

© Emerald Group Publishing Limited. Purpose - This paper aims to study the synergistic effect of self-assembled carboxylic acid-functionalised carbon nanotube (CNT) and nafion/silica nanofibre nanopaper on the electro-activated shape memory effect (SME) and shape recovery behaviour of shape memory polymer (SMP) nanocomposite. Design/methodology/approach - Carboxylic acid-functionalised CNT and nafion/silica nanofibre are first self-assembled onto carbon fibre by means of deposition and electrospinning approaches, respectively, to form functionally graded nanopaper. The combination of carbon fibre and CNT is introduced to enable the actuation of the SME in SMP by means of Joule heating at a low electric voltage of 3.0-5.0 V. Findings - Nafion/silica nanofibre is used to improve the shape recovery behaviour and performance of the SMP for enhanced heat transfer and electrical actuation effectiveness. Low electrical voltage actuation and high electrical actuation effectiveness of 32.5 per cent in SMP has been achieved. Research limitations/implications - A simple way for fabricating electro-activated SMP nanocomposites has been developed by using functionally graded CNT and nafion/silica nanofibre nanopaper. Originality/value - The outcome of this study will help to fabricate the SMP composite with high electrical actuation effectiveness under low electrical voltage actuation.