Ion-Embedding for Soft Compliant Electrode Based on Natural Rubber Latex by UV Curing System

Abstract

The soft compliant electrodes from the natural rubber latex as the matrix phase and the ionic filler solution as the dispersed phase by UV curing system have many advantages i.e. softness, flexibility, good appearance, compatibility, and good physical, electrical and mechanical properties. The electrical conductivity, Young’s modulus, tensile stress, critical strain, and curing time of soft compliant electrode added 0.5% V/V ZnCl2 ionic filler solution are 1.97 × 10-2 S/cm, 5.43 × 103 Pa, 6.97 × 104 Pa, 28.8%, 7 min. respectively. The electrical conductivity, Young’s modulus, tensile stress, critical strain, and curing time of soft compliant electrode added 0.75% V/V CuCl2 ionic filler solution are 3.26 × 10-2 S/cm, 3.03 × 103 Pa, 5.15 × 104 Pa, 6.84%, 7 min respectively. While the electrical conductivity, Young’s modulus, tensile stress, critical strain, and curing time of soft compliant electrode added 5.0% V/V CaCl2 ionic filler solution made from eggshell dissolved in HCl are 0.13 S/cm, 1.16 × 106 Pa, 7.92 × 105 Pa, 41.18%, 19 min. respectively. The electrical conductivity values of soft compliant electrode added with ZnCl2, CuCl2, and CaCl2 made from eggshell ionic filler solution are higher than that of cured natural rubber latex films without ionic filler solution with the magnitudes of 102 to 104. The eggshell is a calcium source used as the CaCl2 ionic filler solution which is potential for the soft compliant electrode and non-toxicity samples preparation. The soft compliant electrodes can be applied for various applications such as drug delivery, artificial muscle, robot, micro-pump, micro-valve, disk drive, flat panel speaker, linear motor in MRI, and etc.