Octakis(phenyl)‐T8‐silsesquioxane‐filled silicone elastomers with enhanced electromechanical capability

The first dielectric elastomer actuators based on electroactive nanocomposites with octakis(phenyl)‐T8‐silsesquioxane (phenyl‐T8), obtained ex‐situ, used as voltage stabilizer filler for silicone elastomers are reported. The incorporation and homogeneous dispersion of crystalline phenyl‐T8 in percen...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of applied polymer science 2021-04, Vol.138 (14), p.n/a
Main Authors: Dascalu, Mihaela, Iacob, Mihail, Tugui, Codrin, Bele, Adrian, Stiubianu, George‐Theodor, Racles, Carmen, Cazacu, Maria
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Actuation
Actuators
Crosslinking
Dielectric strength
Dispersion
Elastomers
Electrical faults
Fillers
Incompatibility
Materials science
mechanical properties
Modulus of elasticity
Morphology
Nanocomposites
Polydimethylsiloxane
Polymers
sensors and actuators
Silicone resins
Silicones
structure‐property relationships
Voltage regulators
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Summary:The first dielectric elastomer actuators based on electroactive nanocomposites with octakis(phenyl)‐T8‐silsesquioxane (phenyl‐T8), obtained ex‐situ, used as voltage stabilizer filler for silicone elastomers are reported. The incorporation and homogeneous dispersion of crystalline phenyl‐T8 in percentages of 2.5, 3.5, 5, and 10 into the amorphous matrix consisting in a polydimethylsiloxane‐α,ω‐diol with Mn = 240,000 g/mol was successfully achieved by solution mixing and crosslinking. For the sample with the best actuation performance (that containing 3.5 wt.% filler), an optimized filled elastomer was obtained by dispersing 3.6 wt. % phenyl‐T8 in the matrix using a suitable surfactant (Pluronic L81), thus gaining an increased electrical breakdown of 30% compared with the pristine sample. Beside dielectric strength, the matured films were characterized in terms of morphology, mechanical, dielectric and actuation tests. In spite of structural incompatibility between the filler and the matrix, the obtained materials are soft elastomers showing high strain (~800%) and low Young's modulus of 50–100 kPa. The use of phenyl‐T8 in a silicone matrix lead to electroactive films with slightly increased lateral actuation strain and electric breakdown strength.
ISSN:0021-8995
1097-4628
DOI:10.1002/app.50161