Fast Ionic Actuators with Silver–Silver Chloride Electrodes and a Mixed Ionic Liquid Electrolyte

Abstract

Excellent conductivity makes silver (Ag) an attractive electrode and current collector material for a variety of devices, also promising faster soft actuators. However, high reactivity challenges the use of Ag in electrochemical systems, as dendritic growth can create undesired conduction pathways and short‐circuit the oppositely polarized electrodes. The challenge of rapid Ag electrochemical migration is addressed using a mixed mixed‐room temperature ionic liquid (RTIL) system (l‐ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium bis‐(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)‐imide and trihexyl(tetradecyl)phosphonium chloride) that prevents short‐circuiting by engaging the produced Ag+ ions with Cl− anions. The stability of the system is demonstrated on an ionic actuator using Ag–silver chloride (AgCl) electrodes and a mixed‐RTIL electrolyte. The work demonstrates fast (in 5 s) transfer of a large (0.2 C cm−2) charge to high‐specific‐surface‐area carbon without observable dendritic growth in cycling and good electromechanical performance: 4° s−1 deflection rate at 0.8 V s−1 scan rate. Simple spray‐deposition of the Ag–AgCl electrodes promises scalable and cost‐effective fabrication. The combination of high stability and vast charge capacity encourages the engagement of Ag‐based electrodes for many electrochemical applications involving organic electrolytes also beyond robotics.