Investigation into a conductive artificial muscle based on sodium alginate/cellulose with good response characteristics

Abstract

In this study, two common natural bio-gel materials were used to prepare the driving membrane applicable to the artificial muscle structure, and the electrolyte layer was assembled to generate the conductive artificial muscle based on sodium alginate/cellulose (SCAM). By studying the influences of different addition amounts of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) on the response characteristics, electrochemical characteristics and microstructure characteristics of artificial muscle, the optimal addition amount was determined. The results showed that the addition amount of CMC in the sample affected the internal structural changes, and the appropriate addition amount could improve the compactness of the sample by giving play to the synergistic effect of the two, thereby significantly promoting the response characteristics and improving its capacity of holding electrons, which was macroscopically manifested by great force and displacement. Based on the microstructure and porosity analysis, the internal mechanism of improving the response characteristics of the sample was clarified. With good response characteristics in the electric field, SCAM has great potential to be applied in flexible machinery and bio-gel artificial muscle.