An investigation on sunlight-induced shape memory behaviors of PCL/TiN composites film

Plasmonic materials possess good optical properties in effectively converting solar energy into heat, here a series of sunlight responsive shape memory composites films based on acrylate-terminated Poly (ε-caprolactone) (PCL) and titanium nitride nanoparticles (TiN NPs) are prepared via base-catalyzed Michael addition. Compared with conventional free radical polymerization or physical blending, this paper constructs a network architecture from view of structural controllability, favoring a subsequent flexible and elastic materials as well as fine dispersion of TiN NPs in the cross-linked networks, the resultant materials show an outstanding mechanical and the incorporated TiN NPs enable rapid temperature increase over the melting temperature of PCL and trigger the shape change of the composite with good shape recovery rate. The effect of light density and TiN NPs concentration on composite film are elucidated and investigated systematically, it is found that the amount of TiN NPs content virtually has a negligible effect on the surface temperature of the films when subjected to a specific illumination, however, light intensity has a remarkable influence on it. Furthermore, an electronics device switch actuated by 160 mw cm−2 simulated sunlight irradiation is demonstrated and envisioned for flexible electronic applications.