Fabrication and electroactive responsive behavior of shape–memory nanocomposite incorporated with self‐assembled multiwalled carbon nanotube nanopaper

A novel shape–memory nanocomposite that exhibits electrical actuation capabilities was fabricated by incorporating a conductive multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) nanopaper into shape–memory polymer matrix. The self‐assembled MWCNT nanopaper was made on hydrophilic polycarbonate membrane. This process was based on well‐defined dispersion of the nanosized individual MWCNT and controlled traditional pressure vacuum deposition procedure. The self‐assembled MWCNTs in the nanopaper provided a percolating conductive network with a large interfacial area. It not only offered a high electrical conductivity but also simultaneously enhanced recovery speed by electrically resistive heating, with increasing the content of MWCNT nanopaper in nanocomposite.