Abstract
A large-area, fabric-like pump would potentially have applications, for example, in controlling water transport through a garment, such as a rain jacket, regardless of the external temperature and humidity. This paper presents an all-plastic, flexible electroosmotic pump, constructed from commercially available materials: A polycarbonate membrane combined with the electrochemically active polymer poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate that actively transports water using an electric potential that can be supplied by a small battery. By using electrochemically active polymer electrodes instead of metal electrodes, the electrochemical reaction that drives flow avoids the oxygen and hydrogen gas production or pH changes associated with water electrolysis. We observe a water mass flux up to 23 mg min−1 per cm2 polycarbonate membrane (porosity 10–15%), at an applied potential of 5 V, and a limiting operating pressure of 0.3 kPa V−1, similar to previously reported membrane-based electroosmotic pumps.
Highlights
There are many applications where flexible fabric-like pumps capable of transporting fluid from one side of a textile to the other would be useful
The net charge in this ionic layer depends on the electrolyte and the chemistry of the surface, and directly affects the velocity of flow generated per unit of electric field
We demonstrate an all-plastic, flexible and low-voltage Electroosmotic pumps (EOPs) consisting of electrochemically active polymer (PEDOT:polystyrene sulfonate (PSS)) electrodes and a porous polymeric membrane, resulting in a “fabric” through which water is actively transported using potentials below 5 V
Summary
There are many applications where flexible fabric-like pumps capable of transporting fluid from one side of a textile to the other would be useful. PC membranes reportedly generate volumetric flow rates up to 120 μl min−1 per cm of membrane area and V of applied potential (Eidsnes et al 2004; Kwon et al 2012; Wang et al.2012) This concept has even been developed into a “fabric” targeted for applications in functional clothing (Heldal and Lauper 2013). We demonstrate an all-plastic, flexible and low-voltage EOP consisting of electrochemically active polymer (PEDOT:PSS) electrodes and a porous polymeric membrane (track-etched polycarbonate), resulting in a “fabric” through which water is actively transported using potentials below 5 V. Our choice of electrode material results in a non-gassing and pH-stable EOP that is soft and formable, and can be applied in areas where more traditional pumps fail
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