Poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate)/Fe3O4 with near-infrared light active shape memory behavior

The use of near-infrared (NIR) to drive shape memory composites can compensate for the shortcomings of heat-driven shape memory composites in environmental applications such as outer space, in vivo and in cold regions. Here we report, a shape memory composites that can respond to NIR light stimulation were prepared by blending EVA with Fe3O4 nanoparticles. With the addition of Fe3O4 nanoparticles, the EVA/Fe3O4 composites exhibited excellent NIR light responsiveness. When the mass fraction of Fe3O4 is 1 % of EVA, it shows excellent shape memory properties with 95.1 % one-way shape fixity ratio and 97.9 % one-way shape recovery ratio. The non-contact manipulation and segmented response of the EVA/Fe3O4 composites were achieved by irradiation with NIR light.