Abstract
The unique properties of nanofibrous artificial muscles including high specific surface area, high porosity, and flexibility as well as similarity to natural muscle structures make them a promising option for use in advanced technologies. In this study, a polyurethane/polypyrrole (PU/PPy) nanofibrous bending artificial muscle was produced and contribution of important electrolyte specifications including concentration and type and size of ions on the electrochemomechanical performance was evaluated. The bending actuation of the produced muscles increased with the concentration of electrolyte solution and this increase was observed at a higher rate in lower concentrations. It was found that the nature of electrolyte ions is a key determinant of the mechanism of ion exchange with the conductive polymer. The using of larger anions in the anion exchange mechanism results in greater bending movements. For example, using LiTFSI electrolyte solution instead of LiCl, in the same potential range, increased the bending displacement from 31° to more than 250°. Immersing in the 0.1 M LiTFSI electrolyte solution, the produced nanofibrous artificial muscle showed a remarkable bending displacement more than 720° in a cycle potential between -0.8 V and 0.8 V. This amazing actuation performance demonstrates the high potential of the produced electrochemomechanical artificial muscles in practical applications.
Published Version
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