Integrated Bending Actuation and the Self‐Sensing Capability of Poly(Vinyl Chloride) Gels with Ionic Liquids

Abstract

Soft actuation materials often only perform an actuation function, and do not achieve the function of self-sensing. In this work, the polyvinyl chloride (PVC) gels are prepared with a plasticizer of dibutyl adipate (DBA) and small amount of imidazolium type ionic liquids (ILs), and are demonstrated that the PVC/ DBA/ILs gels deliver the integrated bending actuation and capacitance pressure self-sensing capability. The bending actuation performances and sensing behavior of PVC/DBA/ILs are related to the migrability of movable ions from ILs, which are dependent on the dissociation of anions and cations of ILs, and the concentration of ILs. Among the ILs, the PVC/DBA gel with 3.3 wt% 1-allyl-3-methylimidazolium bis ((trifluoromethyl)sulphonyl) imide (P/[AMIM]NTF 2 (3.3 wt%)) exhibits best bending displacement of 6.6 mm (corresponding to 24° of bending angle) at 7.2 kV (180 V mm −1 of nominal electric field). In addition, the P/[AMIM]NTF 2 (3.3 wt%) exhibits 0.42 kPa -1 capacitance pressure sensitive in the pressure range 0 to 2.2 kPa, and a sudden change in capacitance in the pressure range 2.2-2.7 kPa with 47.5 kPa -1 of sensitivity. The results can provide a new idea for developing integrated sensing and actuation functions of electroactive dielectric polymer gels.

A Flexible Multifunctional PAN Piezoelectric Fiber with Hydrophobicity, Energy Storage, and Fluorescence

“…The vibration bands positions shifted more with the increase in IL concentration, which reflected the strong interaction between Eu (NO 3 ) 3 ·6H 2 O and IL. From Figure 5 b, we can see that a strong vibration band appeared at 1562cm −1 , which was attributed to the stretching vibration of the imidazole ring of ILs [ 33 ]. With the increase in IL concentration, the vibration bands intensity gradually increased.…”

Intelligent ion gels: Design, performance, and applications

“…This asymmetric swelling behavior allows the ion gel to undergo positive or negative bending, thus achieving the braking behavior of the ion gel. Ion gels based on polyvinyl chloride (PVC), dibutyl adipate (DBA), and 1‐allyl‐3‐methylimidazolium bis((trifluoromethyl) sulfonyl) imide ([AMIM][TFSI]) were prepared by Liang and colleagues 102 The ion gels were further used to assemble fast‐responding artificial muscles. According to Figure 11C, the PVC/DBA gel and PVC/DBA/IL gels with different ILs have response times for electric field responses and recovery of about 4.5 and 6 s, respectively.…”

“…Reproduced with permission: Copyright 2018, Elsevier 50 . (C) Response time of ionic artificial muscles 102 . (D) Effect of the content of ILs on the displacement of the ionic artificial muscles 102 .…”

“…(C) Response time of ionic artificial muscles 102 . (D) Effect of the content of ILs on the displacement of the ionic artificial muscles 102 . (E) Feedback process of the ionic artificial muscles.…”

Multifunctional actuators integrated with the function of self-powered temperature sensing made with Ti3C2Tx–bamboo nanofiber composites

“…[26][27][28][29] For example, Liang et al realized a dielectric polymer gel bending actuator that integrates the self-sensing pressure function by combining polyvinyl chloride gel with ionic liquids. 30 The bending actuator integrated with the self-sensing pressure signal feedback can accurately capture actuation performance. Zhang et al developed a self-sensing hydrogel actuator, which can generate detectable real-time electrical signals when photo-induced deformation occurs, realizing the detection of its deformation.…”