An in-depth investigation on novel electro-activated shape memory polymer composites (SMPCs) for digital light processing 3D-Printing, consisting of a poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate/poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate) matrix embedding multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs), is reported here. The composition of the photocurable (meth)acrylate system is finely tuned to tailor the thermomechanical properties of the matrix, whereas the effect of CNTs on the photoreactivity and rheological properties of the formulations is investigated to assess the printability. Electrical measurements confirmed that the incorporation of CNT into the polymeric matrix enables the electrical conductivity and thus the possibility to remotely heat the nanocomposite using the Joule effect. The feasibility to drive a shape memory cycle via Joule heating is proved, given that the high shape fixity (R f ) and shape recovery (R r ) ratios achieved (R f ≈ 100%, R r > 95%) confirmed the significant electrically-triggered responsiveness of such CNT/SMPCs. Finally, it is shown how to activate a modular and selective electro-activated shape recovery, which may ultimately envisage the 4D-Printing of remotely and selectively controllable smart devices.

Cyclodextrin with up to 10 bis(acyl)phosphanoxide functions serves as an initiator for highly cross-linked swellable hydrogels from mono-acrylates.

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A novel cyclodextrin‐derived multiacrylated macromer (Ac‐γ‐CD) is successfully prepared and tested for the generation of highly crosslinked materials by means of UV‐curing. The high photoreactivity of the macromer under UV‐light irradiation is confirmed by means of real‐time photorheology. Moreover, dynamic mechanical thermal analyses proved that the properties of the thermosetting networks can be easily tailored by varying the concentration of the macromer in the precursor formulation. Finally, different Ac‐γ‐CD‐based formulations are successfully used as innovative inks to reproduce several computer‐aided design files by digital light processing 3D printing.

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