Electrode of ionic polymer-metal composite sensors: modeling and experimental investigation

We theoretically predict and experimentally investigate the electrical properties of the electrode of ionic polymer-metal composites (IPMCs). A microstructure model of the electrode and the model of the current in the polymer membrane were presented. By combining the physics of the polymer membrane and the electrode, the model of the surface electrical potential of the IPMC was proposed. Experiments were conducted to test the electrical characteristics of the electrode and validate the model. The results demonstrate that the theoretical model can appropriately predict the resistance, capacitance, and surface electrical potential of the IPMC electrode under external oscillation.