Structural and morphological aspects considerations of bilayers actuators based on polypyrrole/polyethylene glycole composites

Abstract

Polypyrrole-polyethylene glycol (PPy-PEG) composite films were synthesized on stainless steel electrode by electrochemical method. Presence of PEG as a plasticizing polymer in the solution of polymerization strongly affects the morphological and swelling characteristics of the composite films. Results indicated that the increase in PEG weight percent to 0.07 leads to bi-layer actuators that move faster 18% than those made by neat polypyrrole. However, with further increase in PEG weight percent, the rate of movement decreases. On the other hand, at the same time, the efficiency of electrical energy conversion to the mechanical work decreases as wt% of the PEG is increased. SEM pictures of electro-chemically synthesized PPy and PPy-PEG layers prepared at the presence of various amounts of PEG showed that the thick layer of PPy is a cauliflower and granular structure. However PPy-PEG composites have a more integrate structure and smooth surface including small pores required to penetrate the counter ions.