Investigation of thermodynamic and shape memory properties of alumina nanoparticle-loaded graphene oxide (GO) reinforced nanocomposites

Abstract In this work, a functionalized hybrid Al 2 O 3 -GO was fabricated and introduced into trans-1,4-polyisoprene (TPI) matrix as a new filler. The incorporation of the hybrid optimized the heat resistance, mechanical strength, and fracture toughness of the composites simultaneously. The ultrathin GO shells at Al 2 O 3 -TPI interfaces were considered to be the main reason for the enhancement. They effectively enhanced the interfacial interaction of the Al 2 O 3 -GO/TPI nanocomposites, thus greatly improved the thermodynamic properties of the TPI. The mechanical, thermal, and shape memory properties of nanocomposites were characterized through systematic tests from microscale to macroscale. According to the experimental results, the nanocomposite samples with GO (0.9 wt%) and Al 2 O 3 nanoparticles (1.2 wt%) show the best thermal and mechanical properties in comparison with other samples, and a good shape memory property was obtained or realized in the fabricated nanocomposites. We believe this new and effective approach may open a novel interface design strategy for developing high performance composites.