Heat-responsive PLA/PU/MXene shape memory polymer blend nanocomposite: mechanical, thermal, and shape memory properties.

Sanaka, Rajita; Sahu, Santosh Kumar; Sreekanth, P.S. Rama; Giri, Jayant; Mohammad, Faruq; Al-Lohedan, Hamad A.; Saharudin, Mohd Shahneel; Ma, Quanjin

Abstract

This study investigates the fabrication and characterization of heat-responsive PLA/PU/MXene shape memory polymer blend nanocomposites with varying PLA content (10, 20, 30, and 50%) and a fixed MXene content of 0.5 wt.%. The results indicate significant improvements in mechanical properties, with the 50% PLA/PU/MXene blend showing a 300% increase in ultimate tensile strength and a 90% decrease in % elongation compared to pure PU. Additionally, the 50% blend exhibited a 400% increase in flexural strength. Microstructural analysis revealed dispersed pores and sea–island morphology in pure PU and the 50% PLA/PU/MXene blend. Thermal analysis using DSC showed an increase in crystallinity from 33% (pure PU) to 45% for the 50% PLA/PU/MXene blend, indicating enhanced crystalline domains due to the semi-crystalline nature of PLA and MXene's influence on molecular ordering. TGA demonstrated a significant improvement in thermal stability, with the onset temperature rising from 185°C (pure PU) to 212°C and the degradation temperature increasing from 370°C to 425°C for the 50% blend, attributed to the rigid structure of PLA and MXene's stabilizing effect. Shape memory testing revealed that the 30% PLA/PU/MXene blend achieved the best shape fixity and recovery with optimal performance, whereas higher PLA content diminished shape memory behavior.

Citation

SANAKA, R., SAHU, S.K., SREEKANTH, P.S.R., GIRI, J., MOHAMMAD, F., AL-LOHEDAN, H.A., SAHARUDIN, M.S. and MA, Q. 2025. Heat-responsive PLA/PU/MXene shape memory polymer blend nanocomposite: mechanical, thermal, and shape memory properties. Polymers [online], 17(3), article 338. Available from: https://doi.org/10.3390/polym17030338

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jan 24, 2025
• Online Publication Date: Jan 26, 2025
• Publication Date: Feb 1, 2025
• Deposit Date: Jan 30, 2025
• Publicly Available Date: Jan 30, 2025
• Journal: Polymers
• Electronic ISSN: 2073-4360
• Publisher: MDPI
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 17
• Issue: 3
• Article Number: 338
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/polym17030338
• Keywords: PU; MXene; PLA; Blend composite
• Public URL: https://rgu-repository.worktribe.com/output/2675412