Smart Graphene‐Integrated PCL/COC Ternary Nanocomposites for Enhanced Mechanical Strength and Antibacterial Functionality

Abstract

The development of multifunctional polymeric nanocomposites possessing high mechanical strength, thermal stability, and broad‐spectrum antibacterial activity is of significant interest for advanced biomedical and soft robotic applications. In this study, smart PCL/COC/GNP ternary nanocomposites were prepared via a facile and scalable solution‐casting method. Incorporation of 10 wt.% COC (cyclic olefin copolymer) into PCL poly(ε‐caprolactone) imparted enhanced stiffness and dimensional stability, while graphene nanoplatelets (0.5 and 1.0 wt.%) introduced hierarchical reinforcement and antibacterial functionality. Dynamic mechanical analysis revealed a substantial increase in storage modulus from ∼250 MPa (PCL) to ∼380 MPa (PCL/COC/GNP‐2) and in loss modulus from ∼12 to ∼39 MPa, demonstrating improved viscoelastic behavior. Thermogravimetric analysis confirmed enhanced thermal stability with delayed degradation onset. The composites exhibited rapid one‐way shape memory recovery and broad‐spectrum antibacterial efficacy against both Gram‐positive <i>Staphylococcus aureus<i> and Gram‐negative <i>Escherichia coli<i>, highlighting their potential as mechanically robust, thermally stable, and antimicrobial smart materials for next‐generation biomedical and adaptive structural systems.