Incorporation of Carbon Nanotubes in Silicone Matrices to Improve Wave Energy Converters Performance’s

Abstract

The marine energies constitute a strategic sector of the renewable energies to diversify and complete the energy mix. At present, offshore wind energy and the marine turbines are the main approaches. In stages of more upstream research, demonstrators of wave energy converters (WEC) based on a hydraulic conversion have difficulty in developing because of problems of reliability. The harnessing of this field of wave energy could find a new impetus thanks to the development of concepts in break based on innovative and economically technologies: electroactive polymers (EAP). Based on the distortion of an EAP which plays the double role to get the wave energy and to convert it in electrical energy, these generators open interesting perspectives of development because they free themselves from mechanical absorber at the origin of numerous failures of the WEC.Among challenges identified for the realization of performant EAP-WEC, the availability of more successful materials to convert the mechanical energy is at the heart of the concerns. Starting from carbon nanotubes nano-object to end in a viable mechanical structure, we have developed methods and processes which will be implemented in the future technologies of the wave energy but also aim at the manufacture of a functional prototype of laboratory.Our strategy is based on the incorporation of nano/micro hybrid reinforcements of carbon nanotubes within a silicone matrix in order to realize (i) flexible conductive electrodes and (ii) to improve the properties of the active material. A parylene coating of carbon nanotubes has demonstrated to reduce percolation and thus an improvement of the dielectric strength of the active silicone matrix. Finally, mechanical – electrical conversion is undoubtedly improved by this approach as confirmed by mechanical tests, dielectric spectroscopy and dielectric strength.Acknowledgements : The authors thankfully the national French program ANR SEASEA for funding.