Papers by Keyword: Electronic Conducting Polymer

Abstract: Actuators from conducting IPNs architecture are described. The electroactive materials are based on several PEO/elastomer IPNs as solid polymer electrolytes in which the conducting polymer Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) is gradually dispersed, i.e. its content decreases from the outside towards the centre of the film. Influence of the electrolyte on the actuation properties has been studied. Moreover, the effect of actuator thickness has been investigated. It is shown that the decrease of the thickness leads to fast response systems presenting large deformations at frequencies above 100 Hz.

Abstract: Interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) have been developed for many years leading to materials with controlled properties. When an electronic conducting polymer (ECP) is incorporated into an IPN, this one becomes a conducting IPN (CIPN). The synthetic pathway ensures a non homogeneous dispersion of the ECP through the IPN thickness of the material. The system is thus similar to a layered one with the advantage that the intimate combination of the three polymers needs no adhesive interface. The last step in making the CIPN into an actuator is to ensure the ionic conductivity by incorporation of an ionic salt. The highest ionic conductivity through the IPN matrix is necessary in order to ensure the best actuation. The chosen salt is an ionic liquid, i.e. 1-ethyl-3- methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (EMImTFSI). Based on IPN architectures electrochemical actuators have been designed and actuation in open air has been characterized.