Design and development of electro-active shape memory polymer composite coatings for smart textile applications
Materials Research Bulletin, vol.204, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Publication Type: Article / Article
- Volume: 204
- Publication Date: 2026
- Doi Number: 10.1016/j.materresbull.2026.114342
- Journal Name: Materials Research Bulletin
- Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Chemical Abstracts Core, Chimica, Compendex, INSPEC, Academic Search Ultimate (EBSCO), Engineering Source (EBSCO)
- Keywords: Electro-active, Shape memory, Smart textile
- Inonu University Affiliated: Yes
Abstract
Electro-active polymer composites were prepared using carbon black (CB, 5–30 phr) in a thermo-sensitive SEBS-g-MA/PCL shape memory blend. Their suitability as smart textile coatings was evaluated via electrical conductivity, Joule heating, and electrically induced shape memory analyses. The composite with 30 phr CB (SEBS/PCL-30CB) showed the best performance, with an electrical resistivity of 14.96 Ω·cm, shape fixation above 90%, and shape recovery above 88%. This composite was coated onto standard fabrics at different thicknesses to obtain smart textile structures. Increasing coating thickness decreased the electrical resistance of the fabrics. Joule heating tests demonstrated that SEBS/PCL-30CB coated fabrics (100 cm²) could reach body temperature (36 °C) and the shape transition temperature (65 °C) under DC voltage, indicating their potential for electrically actuated smart textile applications. These results highlight the feasibility of integrating flexible electro-thermal actuators into wearable systems for adaptive comfort, sensing, and responsive textile-based devices in future wearable technologies.