Future Prospects of shape memory polymer nano-composite and epoxy based shape memory polymer- A review

Shape-memory polymer nano-composites (SMPNCs) as stimuli-responsive shape-changing polymers are of great interest for fundamental research and technological innovations. In these contributions, a brief review of the recent trends in the field of SMPNCs is presented with particular focus on their structures, shape-memory effects and their working mechanism. A special attention is paid to smart multi-responsive and multi-functional SMP materials as emerging technological class. They are mainly described as shape-memory nanocomposites (SMNCs) where the incorporation of functional organic, inorganic nano-fillers and reinforcement of nano particles in the SMP matrices is purposely carried out to improve the mechanical properties. Potential applications of the SMPNC-based materials as mechanical, aerospace, medical and biomedical devices, self-healing systems, self-deployable structures, actuators, sensors, etc. or their direct implementation in the industry are finally outlined. (C) 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.