Electro-active hybrid actuators based on freeze-dried bacterial cellulose and PEDOT:PSS

Abstract

We report a high-performance electro-active hybrid actuator based on freeze-dried bacterial cellulose and conducting polymer electrodes. The freeze-dried bacterial cellulose, which has a sponge form, can absorb a much greater amount of ionic liquid, which is a prerequisite for dry-type and high-performance electro-active polymers. In addition, the poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) conducting layers are deposited on the top and bottom surfaces of the freeze-dried bacterial cellulose using a simple dipping and drying method. The results show that the freeze-dried bacterial cellulose actuator with conducting polymer electrodes has a much larger tip displacement under electrical stimuli than pure bacterial cellulose actuators with metallic electrodes. The large bending displacement of the freeze-dried bacterial cellulose actuator under low input voltage is due to the synergistic effects of the ion migration of the dissociated ionic liquids inside the bacterial cellulose and the electrochemical doping processes of the PEDOT: PSS electrode layers.