Triple Stimuli-Responsive Flexible Shape Memory Foams with Super-Amphiphilicity

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Polymer Science
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Highly porous, multi-responsive shape memory foams offer unique advantages for lightweight 3D materials.
• Developing foams with tunable responses for diverse applications remains a key challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To fabricate a novel thermo-, electro-, and photo-responsive shape memory composite foam.
• To explore the dual role of carbon foam as a structural framework and energy conversion network.

Main Methods:

• Commercial melamine sponge (MS) was transformed into highly porous carbon foam (CF) via a multi-step carbonization protocol.
• In situ crosslinked polycaprolactone (PCL) layers were incorporated onto the CF skeleton to create the cPCL@CF composite foam.

Main Results:

• The cPCL@CF composite foam demonstrated high electrical conductivity (≈140 S m⁻¹) and excellent light absorption (≈97.7%).
• The material exhibited sensitive electro- and photo-induced shape memory effects (SME) with high shape fixation and recovery ratios.
• The foam functioned as a sensor, providing rapid electric signals upon contact with salt solutions or lithium-ion battery electrolytes.

Conclusions:

• The developed cPCL@CF composite foam is a promising lightweight, multi-responsive material with significant potential in shape memory applications.
• Its unique properties enable its use as a novel sensor for detecting electrolyte leakage, particularly in lithium-ion batteries.