Electroactive High-Temperature Shape Memory Polymers with High Recovery Stress Induced by Ground Carbon Fibers

Electroactive shape memory polymers (SMPs) are suitable for remote controllable actuators or applications where direct heat is inconvenient, and herein an electroactive shape memory polyimide (EASMPI) is reported for the first time. EASMPI is synthesized by incorporating ground carbon fibers (GCFs) into a polyimide matrix to form a compact conductive network, and percolation threshold of 0.312 S m⁻¹ meets the demands of both electroactive and shape memory effects. The glass transition temperature of 302 °C for EASMPI is much higher than that of other electroactive SMPs, and its shape recovery is activated effectively by a voltage of 15.87 V. Recovery stress is crucial for shape memory materials to output work, and EASMPI produces high recovery stress of 40.1 MPa. The possible mechanisms are discussed, and GCF mainly accounts for its electroactivity and recovery stress. EASMPI shows vast potential in practical applications with its electroactive shape memory effect and high recovery stress at high temperature.