Synthesis and properties of shape memory graphene oxide/polyurethane chemical hybrids

Graphene oxide modified chemically with allyl isocyanate (iGO) was incorporated in various amounts into acrylate-terminated polyurethane (PU) via UV curing. The effects of this incorporation on the morphological, mechanical, dynamic mechanical, thermal and shape memory properties of the resulting hybrids were examined. The iGO nanoparticles incorporated into the PU chains acted as both multifunctional crosslinks and reinforcing fillers, and the effects were most pronounced at low iGO contents (0.5 and 1.0 wt%). Consequently, the glassy and rubbery state moduli, yield strength, glass transition temperature, shape fixity and shape recovery ratios were increased on adding up to 1 wt% iGO. At higher iGO loadings, the values of most of these properties decreased due to aggregation and the auto-inhibition of allyl compounds. (C) 2013 Society of Chemical Industry