Abstract
Ionic electro-active polymers (EAP) are promising materials for actuation and sensing. In order to operate in open-air, they are usually built in a trilayer configuration where the internal polymer membrane is soaked with an exogenous electrolyte and sandwiched between two electronic conducting polymer (ECP) layers. The use of exogenous electrolytes can be a limitation in several applications since it may lead to evaporation issues and leakage. Moreover, the soaking step, necessary to introduce the electrolyte in the device, can become tricky as soon as microdevices are considered. In this work we describe the synthesis and characterization of truly “all-solid-state” ionic actuators by using polymeric ionic liquids (PILs). PILs are a new class of polyelectrolytes presenting ionic liquid-like ions along their polymer backbone. First, ECP electrodes containing PIL are synthesized by vapor phase polymerization and their thickness and electronic conductivity are characterized. Then, electrodes and PIL-based membranes are assembled into a trilayer configuration as a proof of concept of solid-state ionic actuator. Under 1.75V, a strain difference about 1% is reached.
Highlights
Smart materials and structures based on electroactive polymers (EAPs) represent a fast growing and stimulating field of research and development
We report first the synthesis and characterization of electronic conducting polymer (ECP)+polymeric ionic liquids (PILs)-based electrodes by vapor phase polymerization (VPP)
The influence of PIL content on thickness and electronic conductivity of PPy + PIL C1 electrodes was investigated. These film electrodes were prepared by spincoating the oxidant solution in the presence of PIL C1 at 500 rpm, 1200 rpm/s for 30 s and carrying the VPP at 25 °C for 2h
Summary
Smart materials and structures based on electroactive polymers (EAPs) represent a fast growing and stimulating field of research and development. The membrane usually insures the mechanical robustness of such electrochemomechanical devices Central membranes combining both high ionic conductivity and good mechanical properties have been already demonstrated by using soaked porous membranes (i.e. PVDF)[4] or swollen-ones (i.e. gel or IPN)[5,6] by ionic liquids and led to actuators with good performances, compatible with microsystem processes and presenting fast response speed7,8,9,10,. The major advantages of using a PIL instead of an IL are the enhanced mechanical stability, improved processability and durability over the IL species Such chemical architecture allows combining all beneficial properties of ionic liquids with those of classical polyelectrolytes. The resulting device is stimulated under an applied voltage of 1.75V and a strain difference of 1% is reached demonstrating the proof of concept of a truly all-solid-state ionic actuator
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