Ion exchange polymer metal composites (IPMC) are electro-active actuators that show large deformation in the presence of low applied voltage. Perfluorosulfonic acid membrane, Nafion, is one of the most widely studied materials for this purpose. Experimental studies were carried out on the bending behavior of Nafion-based IPMCs containing various solvents and cation species. Various counter cations of sulfonate groups in the membrane were obtained by soaking the composite membrane in aqueous salt solutions. The salts used in ion exchange process include LiOH, NaOH, Cu(NO3)2, Co(NO3)2. Ion-exchange capacity of the IPMC was measured by ICP. In the case of cationic effect the Li-form IPMC demonstrated an immediate and efficient deformation behavior at 1 DC V, while divalent cuprous cation containing IPMC exhibited the larger tip displacement at an elevated electric potential. A threshold electric driving force appears to be required for cations with large hydration and high volume. IPMCs were also prepared by soaking in various transport media. The solutions were prepared by adding 1 mole of NMP, DMF, DMSO, and PEG 200 in water. The feasibility of D2O was also investigated. Addition of organic polar solvents in water decreases the dielectric constant of medium, which subsequently reduces the dissociation of ion pairs. Among the various solutions the heavy water, D2O and DMSO/water (1 Mole/L) mixture demonstrated unusually stable tendency in terms of electrolysis.
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