Abstract
Electroactive polymer actuators such as polypyrrole (PPy) are exciting candidates to drive autonomous devices that require low weight and low power. A simple PPy tri-layer bending type cantilever which operates in the air has been demonstrated previously, but the environmental effect on this actuator is still unknown. The major obstacle in the development of the PPy tri-layer actuator is to create proper packaging that reduces oxidation of the electrolyte and maintains constant displacement. Here, we report the variation in the displacement as well as the charge transfer at the different environmental condition. PPy trilayer actuators were fabricated by depositing polypyrrole on gold-coated porous poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) using the electro-synthesis method. It has been demonstrated that the charge transfer of tri-layer actuators is more in an inert environment than in open air. In addition, tri-layer actuators show constant deflection and enhancement of life due to the negligible oxidation rate of the electrolyte in an inert environment.
Highlights
Electroactive polymer (EAP) is suitable for low voltage electromechanical actuators, that are useful for a range of potential applications and may be appropriate replacements for high voltage low strain piezoelectric actuators [1]
The role of electrolyte in the PPy actuator is considered more important because it determines the conductivity and response time
The response time of the actuator is enhanced, because the electrodynamic properties time of the actuator is enhanced, because the electrodynamic properties of of ions are not affected inside the glove box
Summary
Electroactive polymer (EAP) is suitable for low voltage electromechanical actuators, that are useful for a range of potential applications and may be appropriate replacements for high voltage low strain piezoelectric actuators [1]. The scaling down of these PPy actuators improves their actuation properties, which are useful for numerous applications such as micromanipulation of cells [12], bioanalytical nano-systems [13], data storage [14], microvalves [15], Labs on chip [16], cantilever light modulators [17], and micro-optical instrumentation [18], etc Their limited structural strength, lifetime and low resistance electrical contacts still remain challenges to be addressed [19,20]. PPy consists of two active (PPy) thin films separated by an insulating porous medium (PVDF) which hold the electrolyte within the internal pores [17] This type of structure operates in wet as well as dry media that become electrochemically oxidized and reduced in a continuous and reversible way, leading to a bending movement [25].
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