Abstract
Intrinsic modification of polybutadiene and block copolymer styrene–butadiene–styrene with the electrically conducting emeraldine salt of tetraaniline (TANI) via a three-step grafting method, is reported in this work. Whilst the TANI oligomer grafted at a similar rate to both polybutadiene and styrene–butadiene–styrene under the same conditions, the resulting elastomers exhibited vastly different properties. 1 mol% TANI-PB exhibited an increased relative permittivity of 5.9, and a high strain at break of 156%, whilst 25 mol% TANI-SBS demonstrated a relative permittivity of 6.2 and a strain at break of 186%. The difference in the behaviour of the two polymers was due to the compatibilisation of TANI by styrene in SBS through π-π stacking, which prevented the formation of a conducting TANI network in SBS at. Without the styrene group, TANI-PB formed a phase separated structure with high levels of TANI grafting. Overall, it was concluded that the polymer chain structure, the morphology of the modified elastomers, and the degree of grafting of TANI, had the greatest effect on the mechanical and dielectric properties of the resultant elastomers. This work paves the way for an alternative approach to the extrinsic incorporation of conducting groups into unsaturated elastomers, and demonstrates dielectric elastomers with enhanced electrical properties for use in actuation devices and energy harvesting applications.
Highlights
The ability to convert electrical energy to mechanical energy, or vice versa, is under extensive research due to a large array of applications
To literature examples, 35 mol% TANI-SBS demonstrates superior relative permittivity, and low tan δ loss compared to examples involving the conducting polymer form of TANI, polyaniline [1]
A decrease in theinrelative permittivity was observedbase at 10form, before grafting to epoxidised
Summary
The ability to convert electrical energy to mechanical energy, or vice versa, is under extensive research due to a large array of applications. Smart electroactive polymers can change their shape through energy transduction from an electric field owing to Maxwell’s stress, and can be applied to artificial muscle applications [1]. They can convert mechanical energy into electrical energy, resulting in energy harvesting. In the case of electrical properties, the material should have the ability to store energy under an electric field, which can be described by the capacitance (C) and electrical energy density at breakdown (Uel ) [7,8]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
