4D printing of CNT-reinforced PLA/PBAT composites with robust mechanical and rapidly responding thermal performance
Source abstract
Abstract
Abstract Shape memory polymers (SMPs) can actively transform their shape or properties upon exposure to external triggers. Among these materials, polylactic acid (PLA) draws significant research interest owing to its superior shape memory behavior. However, reconciling shape memory performance with mechanical properties remains challenging due to the inherent brittleness of PLA. This study aims to improve the actuation speed and mechanical performance of 4D-printed PLA-based structures. By direct melt blending of PLA, PBAT, and CNTs, a thermally responsive 4D-printable composite filament was successfully fabricated. The thermal-responsive shape memory behavior and mechanical properties of the printed specimens were thoroughly investigated. The results demonstrate that by optimizing the blending process, 1.0 wt% CNT is uniformly dispersed within the PLA/PBAT matrix. The formulation forms a continuous thermally conductive network, boosting both mechanical strength and shape recovery speed. This enhancement is attributed to the significantly improved CNT dispersion and interfacial bonding achieved through process optimization. All composites exhibit high shape fixity ( R f ≈ 98.3 %) and shape recovery ( R r ≈ 93 %). Notably, the enhanced thermal conductivity significantly accelerates the shape memory response. The composite containing 1.0 wt% CNT achieves complete recovery within only 8 s when heated in a water bath at 65 °C. In the present study, a CNT-reinforced PLA/PBAT composite was engineered to achieve a combination of superior mechanical properties and rapid thermal-responsive shape recovery capacity, which can be widely applied in soft actuators and robotics.
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Research context
OpenAlex topics: Polymer composites and self-healing · Advanced Materials and Mechanics · Additive Manufacturing and 3D Printing Technologies
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
Affiliations
Key Laboratory of High Efficiency and Clean Mechanical Manufacture , Ministry of Education , Jinan , China
School of Mechanical Engineering, Shandong University , Jinan , China
State Key Laboratory of Advanced Equipment and Technology for Metal Forming , Shandong University , Jinan , China
Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Advanced Textile Composite Materials , Tiangong University , Tianjin , China
School of Mechanical Engineering and Automation, Beihang University , Beijing , China
AVIC Research Institute for Special Structures of Aeronautical Composites , Jinan , China
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