KEYWORDS: Actuators, Electrodes, Scanning electron microscopy, Sensors, Digital image correlation, Electroactive polymers, Photomicroscopy, Mechanics, Electron microscopes, Digital imaging
Commonly, modeling of the bending behavior of the ionic electroactive polymer (IEAP) actuators is based on the classical mechanics of cantilever beam. It is acknowledged, that the actuation of the ionic electroactive polymer (IEAP) actuators is symmetric about the centroid - the convex side of the actuator is expanding and the concave side is contracting for exactly the same amount, while the thickness of the actuator remains invariant. Actuating the IEAP actuators and sensors under scanning electron microscope (SEM), in situ, reveals that for some types of them this approach is incorrect. Comparison of the SEM micrographs using the Digital Image Correction (DIC) method results with the precise strain distribution of the IEAP actuators in two directions: in the axial direction, and in the direction of thickness. This information, in turn, points to the physical processes taking place within the electrodes as well as membrane of the trilayer laminate of sub-millimeter thickness. Comparison of the EAP materials, engaged as an actuator as well as a sensor, reveals considerable differences between the micro-mechanics of the two modes.
The research is focused on lifetime and degradation of ionic electroactive polymer actuators (IEAP). The lifetime measurements were carried out using identical methodology upon the different IEAP types. The experiment conducted with large number of samples shows that two types of degradation have serious effect to the IEAPs: degradation during operation and spontaneous self-degradation. Additionally, two ways of occasional damage decrease their overall reliability. In the scope of the current paper we describe degradation of two different types of IEAP actuators: with carbonaceous electrodes and with conducting polymer electrodes. Nevertheless, the common evolutionary trends, rather than the comparative data analysis or formal statistics of all particular samples, are given. Analyzing the electromechanical and electrical impedances of the samples during their whole lifetime, we have found that observing the electric current gives adequate information about the degradation level of any IEAP actuator. Moreover, tracking this electrically measurable parameter enables detecting the occasional damage of an actuator.
We report a fabricating method for ion-conducting carbon electrodes on top of industrially produced PVDF membrane by spin-coating. Spin-coating is desirable due to its potential application in large-scale actuator manufacturing and its possibility to produce very thin electrodes. The industrial grade membrane was chosen in order to investigate more accurately the results of spin-coating without considering the deviations present in a hand-made membrane. Spin-coating and surface resistivity measurements via four-point probe were described in further detail. The production process of electrode suspension and suspension dispensing were developed and fine-tuned. The spin coater was programmed to obtain electrodes with uniform electrical properties. The arrangement of the spin coater was slightly altered to remove swelling and bubble formation effects concurrent with usage of the porous membrane. Electrodes produced with the developed method were measured and analyzed. Thickness of the film was measured with micrometer screw gauge and four-point probe was used to measure sheet resistivity, in addition film was studied under scanning electron microscope. In best cases the coefficient of variation for sheet conductivity was 6.2%. For all electrode sheet conductivities the median coefficient of variation was 7%. The thickness of the electrodes varied from 6 to 23 μm. As a proof of concept for the developed method a working actuator with spin-coated electrodes was produced.
High surface area carbon, ionic liquid and polymer are incorporated in an electromechanically active composite. This
laminate bends when voltage (typically less than 3 V) is applied between the electrodes, and generates voltage and
current when bent with an external force. By suitable optimization, the material can be used either as an actuator, energy
storage element (supercapacitor) or sensor. Strain caused by bending promotes dislocation of ions in the micropores of
carbon. As a result, the charge separation occurs because ions of ionic liquid are likely trapped in the micropores of
diameters close to the ion sizes.
There is still emerging need for more effective and technologically simple electrode materials for low voltage ionic EAP
materials. Most extensively used carbon materials for bending and linear actuators are different types of carbon
nanotubes. We have used for the electrode layers carbide-derived carbon (CDC) and several carbon aerogels. The
differences in actuation performance were analyzed in the context of pore characteristics of carbons, electromechanical
and electrochemical (EIS) properties. Quantum chemistry and molecular dynamics simulations were used to analyze in
detail the actuation/sensor processes in material.
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