Conducting core‐sheath nanofibers for electroactive shape‐memory applications

Conducting nanofibers coated with polypyrrole (PPy) and poly(3‐hexylthiophene) (P3HT) exhibiting core‐sheath structures were prepared by vapor‐phase polymerization of the conducting polymers on electrospun polyurethane nanofibers. The synthesis of the conducting polymers was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and energy‐disperse X‐ray spectroscopy. The surfaces of the PPy‐coated nanofibers were slightly rough, while very smooth and regular surfaces were observed in the case of the P3HT‐coated nanofibers. The initial polymerization rate of PPy was higher than that of P3HT. In addition, the electrical conductivities of the core‐sheath structured nanofiber webs of both types increased with polymerization time. The maximum sheet conductivity of the PPy and P3HT‐coated nanofiber webs was 5 × 10^?3 S/cm and 1 × 10^?2 S/cm, respectively. The webs of the conducting core‐sheath structured nanofibers were effective in generating sufficient electrical heating necessary for harnessing these materials for electroactive shape‐memory‐based applications. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.