We assessed an effect of an embedded electro-conductive multiwalled carbon nanotube nanopaper in an epoxy matrix on the release of the frozen actuation force and the actuation torque in the carbon nanotube nanopaper/epoxy composite after heating above its glass transition temperature. The presence of the nanopaper augmented the recovery of the actuation stress by the factor of two in comparison with the pure epoxy strips. We proposed a procedure that allowed us to assess this composite strengthening mechanism. The strengthening of the composite was attributed to the interlocking of the carbon nanotubes with the epoxy. When reheated, the composite samples, which contained stretched mutually intertwined nanotubes and epoxy segments, released a greater actuation stress then the epoxy samples, which comprised of less elastic networks of crosslinked segments of pure epoxy.

Centre of Polymer Systems University Institute Tomas Bata University Tr T Bati 5678 760 01 Zlin Czech Republic

Faculty of Technology Polymer Centre Tomas Bata University T G M 275 760 01 Zlin Czech Republic

The Czech Academy of Sciences Institute of Hydrodynamics Pod Patankou 5 166 12 Prague 6 Czech Republic

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