A solid state actuator based on the PEDOT/NBR system

Abstract This paper reports the fabrication of a dry type conducting polymer actuator using nitrile rubber (NBR) as the base material for a solid polymer electrolyte. Thin films of NBR (150–200 μm) were prepared by using a compression molding process. A conducting polymer, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT), was synthesized on the surface of the NBR layer by using a chemical oxidation polymerization technique, and room temperature ionic liquids (RTIL) based on imidazolium salts, e.g. 1-butyl-3-methyl imidazolium X [where X = BF 4 − , PF 6 − , (CF 3 SO 2 ) 2 N − ], were absorbed into the composite film. The effects of the anion-size of the ionic liquids on the displacement of the actuator were examined. The displacement increased with increasing the anion-size of the ionic liquids. The cyclic voltammetric responses and the redox switching dynamics of the actuators using different ionic liquids were examined.

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