Nanoporous metal based composites: Giving polymers strength and making metals move

Abstract

One of the outstanding characteristics of electroactive polymers is their large strain response under electrical stimulus, which can be utilized for actuation applications. However, for extensive mechanical use in electro-mechanical systems, they lack the necessary strength and stiffness. To improve polymer actuator strength, the incorporation of a metal reinforcement phase has been proposed: by forming an inter-penetrating metal-polymer composite, a much stronger actuator can be created. This work focuses on nanoporous metals as the metal reinforcement: they have impressive mechanical properties, while simultaneously allowing almost unhindered ion flow due to their characteristic bi-continuous structure. To explore the effects of the metal volume fraction on the ion transport, deformation and stress response of this composite, this work investigates the chemo-electro-mechanical behaviour of a nanoporous metal-polymer composite material using finite element simulations on representative volume elements at various volume fractions.