title: Newton Output Blocking Force under Low-Voltage Stimulation for Carbon Nanotube-Electroactive Polymer Composite Artificial Muscles.
abstract: This is a study on the development of carbon nanotube-based composite actuators using a new ionic liquid-doped electroactive ionic polymer. For scalable production purposes, a simple hot-pressing method was used. Carbon nanotube/ionic liquid-Nafion/carbon nanotube composite films were fabricated that exhibited a large output blocking force and a stable cycling life with low alternating voltage stimuli in air. Of particular interest and importance, a blocking force of 1.5 N was achieved at an applied voltage of 6 V. Operational durability was confirmed by testing in air for over 30 000 cycles (or 43 h). The superior actuation performance of the carbon nanotube/ionic liquid-Nafion/carbon nanotube composite, coupled with easy manufacturability, low driving voltage, and reliable operation, promises great potential for artificial muscle and biomimetic applications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Applied Science, National Taitung University , 369, Sec. 2, University Road, Taitung City 95092, Taiwan.
authors.forename: I-Wen Peter
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2532-1380
authors.initials: IP
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: High-Performance Materials Institute, Florida State University , 2005 Levy, Tallahassee, Florida 32310, United States.
authors.forename: Ming-Chia
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: 3D Printing Medical Research Center, China Medical University Hospital , 2 Tuh-Der Road, Taichung City 40447, Taiwan.|Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University , No. 91, Hsueh-Shih Road, Taichung City, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Chia-Hui
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Department of Applied Science, National Taitung University , 369, Sec. 2, University Road, Taitung City 95092, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Dai-Xuan
authors.initials: DX
authors.lastname: Zhong
authors.affiliation: Department of Applied Science, National Taitung University , 369, Sec. 2, University Road, Taitung City 95092, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Ming-Chun
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Hsu
authors.affiliation: 3D Printing Medical Research Center, China Medical University Hospital , 2 Tuh-Der Road, Taichung City 40447, Taiwan.|Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University , No. 91, Hsueh-Shih Road, Taichung City, Taiwan.|Department of Photonics and Communication Engineering, Asia University , No. 500, Lioufeng Rd., Wufeng, Taichung City, 41354, Taiwan.
authors.forename: YiWen
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D032701:Biomimetics; D007477:Ions; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon; D011108:Polymers
chemical_list: D007477:Ions; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon; D011108:Polymers
keywords: blocking force; carbon nanotube buckypaper; composite actuator; electroactive polymers; ionic liquids