The performance of fast-moving low-voltage electromechanical actuators based on single-walled carbon nanotubes and ionic liquids

In this paper, we study the details of the mechanical and electrical properties of polymer-free single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) sheets containing different contents of ionic liquids (ILs). The polymer-free SWNT sheets were prepared by a previously reported finding that millimeter-long 'sup...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Smart materials and structures 2011-12, Vol.20 (12), p.124008-1-6
Main Authors: Mukai, Ken, Asaka, Kinji, Hata, Kenji, Oike, Hideaki
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Actuation
Actuators
Chemical vapor deposition
Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science
rheology
Electrical properties
Emittance
Exact sciences and technology
General equipment and techniques
Instruments, apparatus, components and techniques common to several branches of physics and astronomy
Ionic liquids
Materials science
Nanoscale materials and structures: fabrication and characterization
Nanotubes
Physics
Resistivity
Single wall carbon nanotubes
Transducers
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Summary:In this paper, we study the details of the mechanical and electrical properties of polymer-free single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) sheets containing different contents of ionic liquids (ILs). The polymer-free SWNT sheets were prepared by a previously reported finding that millimeter-long 'super-growth' carbon nanotubes (SG-SWNTs), produced by a water-assisted modified chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method, associate together tightly with ILs, affording a free-standing sheet with a superb conductivity. The Young's modulus, breaking strength and the electrical conductivity of the SG-SWNT sheet with 67 wt% 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (EMITFSI) showed large values, 0.63 GPa, 20 MPa, and 147 S cm super(-1), respectively, although it has large amounts of ILs. We also measure the frequency dependence of the displacement of the actuator composed of SG-SWNT sheets sandwiching an ionic-gel electrolyte layer (SG-SWNT actuator). At more than 50 wt% of EMITFSI content, the frequency response of the actuation of the SG-SWNT actuator is flat up to around 100 Hz. The results of the displacement measurements are discussed in relation to the mechanical and electrical properties of the SG-SWNT actuators.
ISSN:0964-1726
1361-665X
DOI:10.1088/0964-1726/20/12/124008