Electro-Active Polymer Actuator by Employing Ionic Networking Membrane of Poly (styrene-alt-maleic anhydride)-Incorporated Poly (vinylidene fluoride)

Abstract

In this study, a novel actuator was developed by employing the newly-synthesized ionic networking membrane (INM) of poly (styrene-alt-maleic anhydride) (PSMAn)-incorporated poly (vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF). Based on the same original membrane, various samples of INM actuator were prepared through different reduction times with the electroless-plating technique. The as-prepared INM actuators were tested in terms of surface resistance, platinum morphology, resonance frequency, tip displacement, current and blocked force, and their performance was compared to that of the widely-used traditional Nafion actuator. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed that much smaller and more uniform platinum particles were formed on the surfaces of the INM actuators as well as within their polymer matrix. Although excellent harmonic response was observed for the newly-developed INM actuators, this was found to be sensitive to the applied reduction times during the fabrication. The mechanical displacement of the INM actuator fabricated after optimum reduction times was much larger than that of its Nafion counterpart of comparable thickness under the stimulus of constant and alternating current voltage.