title: Three-dimensional graphene-polypyrrole hybrid electrochemical actuator.
abstract: The advancement of mechanical actuators benefits from the development of new structural materials with prominent properties. A novel three-dimensional (3D) hydrothermally converted graphene and polypyrrole (G-PPy) hybrid electrochemical actuator is presented, which is prepared via a convenient hydrothermal process, followed by in situ electropolymerization of pyrrole. The 3D pore-interconnected G-PPy pillar exhibits strong actuation responses superior to pure graphene and PPy film. In response to the low potentials of ±0.8 V, the saturated strain of 3D G-PPy pillar can reach a record of 2.5%, which is more than 10 times higher than that of carbon nanotube film and about 3 times that of unitary graphene film under an applied potential of ±1.2 V. Also, the 3D G-PPy actuator exhibits high actuation durability with high operating load as demonstrated by an 11 day continuous measurement. Finally, a proof-of-concept application of 3D G-PPy as smart filler for on/off switch is also demonstrated, which indicates the great potential of the 3D G-PPy structure developed in this study for advanced actuator systems.
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Cluster Science, Ministry of Education of China, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, PR China.
authors.forename: Jia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Zhi
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Yang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Huhu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.forename: Chuangang
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: Lan
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.forename: Liangti
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Qu