Novel nanocomposite actuator based on sulfonated poly(styrene-b-ethylene-co-butylene-b-styrene) polymer.
Ionic polymer metal composite (IPMC) actuators were developed with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNT) and sulfonated poly(styrene-b-ethylene-co-butylene-b-styrene) (SSEBS) ionic polymers. MWNT with the diameter of 10 approximately 15 nm and length of 10 approximately 20 microm was used to enhance the mechanical and electrical performances of IPMC actuators. Ultrasonic treatment and high speed mixing were employed to disperse MWNTs homogeneously in SSEBS solution. The electroless plating method was used to make electrodes on the both side of the composite membrane. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) images were taken to characterize the surface and micro-structures of the composite actuators. In this study, novel nano-composite actuators were fabricated with different weight ratio of the MWNT 0.5%, 1.5% and the bending actuation performance and electrical power consumptions were investigated.
School of Mechanical Engineering, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 500-757, Korea.
Jin-Young
JY
Jung
Il-Kwon
IK
Oh
D000476:Alkanesulfonates / Q000737:chemistry*; D004548:Elasticity; D004553:Electric Conductivity; D004563:Electrochemistry / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D008422:Materials Testing; D008846:Micromanipulation / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D011137:Polystyrenes / Q000737:chemistry*; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D014159:Transducers
D000476:Alkanesulfonates; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon; D011137:Polystyrenes; C078515:Tactylon