Ionic electroactive polymer actuators with aligned carbon nanotube/nafion nanocomposite electrodes

Yang Liu, Sheng Liu, Hul̈ya Cebeci, Roberto Guzman De Villoria, Jun Hong Lin, Brian L. Wardle, Q. M. Zhang

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

Recent advances in fabricating controlled-morphology vertically aligned carbon nanotube (VA-CNTs) with ultrahigh volume fraction create unique opportunities for markedly improving the electromechanical performance of ionic polymer conductor network composite actuators (IPCNCs). Actuator experiments show that the continuous paths through inter-VA-CNT channels and low electrical conduction resistance due to the continuous CNTs in the composite electrodes of the IPCNC lead to fast ion transport and actuation speed (>10% strain/second). One critical issue in developing advanced actuator materials is how to suppress or eliminate unwanted strains generated under electric stimulation, which reduce the actuation efficiency and also the actuation strains. We observe that the VA-CNTs in the composite electrodes yields non-isotropic elastic modulus that suppresses the unwanted strain and markedly enhances the actuation strain (>8% strain under 4 volts). A transmission line model has been developed to understand the electrical properties of the actuator device.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationHierarchical Materials and Composites - Combining Length Scales from Nano to Macro
Pages44-49
Number of pages6
DOIs
StatePublished - 2011
Event2010 MRS Fall Meeting - Boston, MA, United States
Duration: Nov 29 2010Dec 3 2010

Publication series

NameMaterials Research Society Symposium Proceedings
Volume1304
ISSN (Print)0272-9172

Other

Other2010 MRS Fall Meeting
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityBoston, MA
Period11/29/1012/3/10

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General Materials Science
  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Mechanics of Materials
  • Mechanical Engineering

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