High shape‐memory effect of hindered phenol/nitrile–butadiene rubber composites by forming hydrogen bonding

ABSTRACT To widen the type and scope of use of shape memory polymers (SMPs), we added hindered phenol (AO‐80) to nitrile–butadiene rubber (NBR) to gain a group of AO‐80/NBR rubber composites. The glass transition temperature (Tg), structure, mechanical properties, and shape memory properties of the AO‐80/NBR rubber composites were characterized. It was concluded that the dispersion of AO‐80 in the NBR matrix was homogeneous and intra‐molecular hydrogen bonds were formed between the hydroxyl groups (OH) of AO‐80 and the cyano groups (CN) of NBR molecular chain. The dosage of AO‐80 added could be changed to tune the Tg. AO‐80/NBR rubber composites revealed outstanding shape fixity and shape recovery. The method for tuning the Tg of AO‐80/NBR rubber composites will provide an idea for the fabrication and design of new SMPs. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2020, 137, 48911. Shape memory performance of AO‐80/NBR rubber composites