Phthalocyanine and encapsulated polyaniline nanoparticles as fillers for dielectric elastomers

The dielectric constant (ε) of a polymer can significantly be increased by blending it with conducting fillers. Given our interest in developing highly efficient and long-lasting actuators for muscle replacement, we set out to explore all key issues which could help to reduce the required voltage and at the same time ensure long term stability. The presentation describes experiments which prove that the water content in carboxylic acid-decorated phthalocyanines (Pcs), commonly falsely referred to oligo-Pcs, is a critical factor determining the absolute value of ε. Several publications on ε values of these oligo-Pcs led to contradicting conclusions because the effect of water was not sufficiently considered. The water content is relevant because o-Pcs are often used as fillers to increase ε of polymer matrices. This presentation also describes an experimental evaluation on whether or not as-prepared polyaniline (PANI) and poly(divinyl benzene)- encapsulated (PDVB) PANI can be reasonably used as high ε fillers in matrix materials. For this purpose several blends with polystyrene-polybutadiene block copolymer gels (PS-b-PB) and polydimethyl siloxane (PDMS) were prepared and their dielectric properties investigated. The former part of this presentation has in part already been published (D. M. Opris et al. Chem. Mater. 20(21), 6889-6896, 2008), the latter is completely new.

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