Shape-memory Polymers Containing Nanoparticles: Recent Advances

A new generation of shape-memory materials includes those that have found many applications in domestic life as well as in industry. The use of these materials lies in response to external stimuli such as temperature, light, electric or magnetic fields-aligned or changing the pH of a new technique in engineering. Physical properties of the materials, such as changes in shape, color and refractive index are dependent on the use of external stimuli. The materials with shape memory properties in their molecular structure can store their original structure. Materials that exhibit shape memory effect have the ability to change in shape and stay in shape retrieval of temporary and permanent forms towards external stimuli. The shape memory materials find specific applications as smart fibers, heat shrinkable pipes, packaging and medical applications such as self-adjust wires and stents to open the blood vessels. In this paper, an overview is given on the structure and properties of nanoparticle-containing shape memory polymeric materials towards external stimuli.