• Madani, Zahra
• Mohan, Mithila
• Vapaavuori, Jaana
• Seppälä, Jukka
• Baniasadi, Hossein
• Vaara, Maija
• Lipponen, Sami

Abstract

| openaire: EC/H2020/949648/EU//ModelCom The authors acknowledge the “Academy of Finland” funding no. 327248 (ValueBiomat) and no. 327865 (Bioeconomy), as well as funding from NordForsk in the form of the “Beyond eTextiles” project and from the European research council project “Autonomously adapting and communicating modular textiles” no. 949648. The authors also thank Ali Tavakoli for his effort in editing the videos. ; This study introduces the development of a thermally responsive shape-morphing fabric using low-melting-point polyamide shape memory actuators. To facilitate the blending of biomaterials, we report the synthesis and characterization of a biopolyamide with a relatively low melting point. Additionally, we present a straightforward and solvent-free method for the compatibilization of starch particles with the synthesized biopolyamide, aiming to enhance the sustainability of polyamide and customize the actuation temperature. Subsequently, homogeneous dispersion of up to 70 wt % compatibilized starch particles into the matrix is achieved. The resulting composites exhibit excellent mechanical properties comparable to those reported for soft and tough materials, making them well suited for textile integration. Furthermore, cyclic thermomechanical tests were conducted to evaluate the shape memory and shape recovery of both plain polyamide and composites. The results confirmed their remarkable shape recovery properties. To demonstrate the potential application of biocomposites in textiles, a heat-responsive fabric was created using thermoresponsive shape memory polymer actuators composed of a biocomposite containing 50 wt % compatibilized starch. This fabric demonstrates the ability to repeatedly undergo significant heat-induced deformations by opening and closing pores, thereby exposing hidden functionalities through heat stimulation. This innovative approach provides a convenient pathway for designing heat-responsive textiles, adding value to state-of-the-art smart textiles. ; Peer reviewed

Topics

• impedance spectroscopy
• pore
• dispersion
• polymer
• composite
• biomaterials