Improved thermostimulative shape memory behavior of HDPE/PET immiscible blend-based polymer nanocomposite using amphiphilic Janus nanoparticles

In the study, the impact of homogeneously modified (HM) and Janus silica nanoparticles on the thermostimulative shape memory effect of high-density polyethylene/poly(ethylene terephthalate) blend-based polymer nanocomposites (BPN) is investigated. It is shown that the physical/mechanical characteristics of the polymer/polymer interface have a determinative role in defining the shape memory effect of the system. Accordingly, the effect of each nanoparticle type on this region is precisely evaluated and interpreted. The Janus nanoparticles are synthesized via a two-step desymmetrization process in Pickering emulsion, using different polar/apolar silane agents, while a single-step modification procedure is used to perform the homogenous modification. The designing stages of a comprehensive analytical model are discussed which is used to evaluate the corporation level of the HM and Janus nanoparticles in the recovery mechanism of the BPN samples. The results of different characterizing tests (e.g., tensile, recovery, dynamic mechanical thermal analysis, rheology, etc.) are proposed to demonstrate the impact of different types of nanoparticles on the polymer/polymer interface and shape memory effect (SME) in each sample. It is proved that the BPN samples containing Janus nanoparticles have the strongest SME, in both stretching and bending modes, even better than similar systems containing small molecule compatibilizers.