Investigation of Ionic Polymer Metal Composite Actuators Loaded with Various Tetraethyl OrthosiUcate Contents

• Published in: 吉林大学仿生工程学报：英文版 2012, Vol.9 (1), p.75-83
• Main Author: Qingsong He Min Yu Yuxiu Li Yan Ding Dongjie Guo Zhendong Dai
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: IPMC; SiO2膜; 乙基; 执行机构; 满载; 电子显微镜观察; 离子聚合物; 金属复合材料
• ISSN: 1672-6529; 2543-2141

Ionic Polymer Metal Composite （IPMC） can be used as an electrically activated actuator, which has been widely used in artificial muscles, bionic robotic actuators, and dynamic sensors since it has the advantages of large deformation, light weight, flexibility, and low driving voltage, etc. To further improve the mechanical properties of IPMC, this paper reports a new method for preparing organic-inorganic hybrid Nafion/SiO2 membranes. Beginning from cast Nation membranes, IPMCs with various tetraethyl orthosilicate （TEOS） contents were fabricated by electroless plating. The elastic moduli of cast Nation membranes were measured with nano indenters, the water contents were calculated, and the cross sections of Nation membranes were observed by scanning electron microscopy. The blocking force, the displacement, and the electric current of IPMCs were then measured on a test apparatus. The results show that the blocking force increases as the TEOS content gradually increases, and that both the displacement and the electric current initially decrease, then increase. When the TEOS content is 1.5%, the IPMC shows the best improved mechanical properties. Finally, the IPMC with the best improved performance was used to successfully actuate the artificial eye and tested.