Thermal- and water-induced shape memory Eucommia ulmoides rubber and microcrystalline cellulose composites

We designed a series of new thermal and water double-stimulus shape memory composites composed of natural Eucommia ulmoides rubber (EUR) and microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) and discussed their excellent properties in this manuscript. The shape memory behavior of the composites was investigated under three stimulation conditions: heat, water and heat and water. We studied the mechanism of heat-and water-triggered shape memory properties by considering the mechanical properties, water contact angle, water uptake, thermal properties and microstructure of the composites. We also proposed two schematic diagrams to explain the relationship between the internal microstructures and the macroscopic properties of the materials. Due to the excellent multi-responsive properties, these kinds of intelligent shape memory composites can potentially be applied in biomedical and special sensor field.