Development of cyanate ester‐based shape memory composite reinforced by multi‐walled carbon nanotube modified with silicon dioxide

Abstract

AbstractCyanate ester‐based shape memory composites with superior mechanical properties and good shape memory performance are needed in the aerospace field. In this work, we utilized a simple sol–gel method to fabricate multi‐walled carbon nanotubes coated with silica (MWCNT@SiO2), which were used to construct a cyanate ester‐based shape memory composite (SMPC). The moisture resistance of SMPC was improved by the introduction of MWCNT@SiO2. MWCNT@SiO2 had an efficient enhancement effect on the mechanical strength and toughness of SMPC, and the SMPC exhibited the best mechanical properties with 0.9 wt% loading of MWCNT@SiO2, which was associated with the dispersion of MWCNT@SiO2 in the resin matrix. Compared to neat cyanate ester and epoxidized hydroxyl‐terminated polybutadiene resin matrix, it was found that the storage modulus of SMPC increased and the values of glass transition temperatures decreased by incorporation of MWCNT@SiO2. Meanwhile, the SMPC retained good shape memory performance, corresponding to high shape fixity ratio and shape recovery ratio (over 98% after 10 test cycles). The addition of MWCNT@SiO2 accelerated the shape memory progress of SMPC.