Mechanical properties of cellulose-based electro-active paper

Abstract

Mechanical properties of cellulose-based electro-active paper (EAPap) are characterized in this work. Cellulose-based EAPap has been studied as a potential actuator concept, as a result of its low actuation voltage, lightweight, low power consumption, biodegradability and low cost. EAPap is made from cellulose paper, coated with thin electrically conducting electrodes. This EAPap shows a reversible and reproducible bending movement as well as a longitudinal displacement under electric field excitation. However, the EAPap is a complex anisotropic material, which has not been extensively characterized. It is important to have extended property data for EAPap so that the actuator performance can be optimized, and this requires additional material testing. Our material test results show that EAPap has two distinct elastic constants. The initial Young's modulus of EAPap is in the range of 4–9 GPa, which is higher than other polymer materials. This modulus is also orientation dependent, which may be associated with the piezoelectricity of the EAPap materials. Another important property is that the dynamically induced mechanical strains of these materials exhibit linear creep behaviour as confirmed by constant stress and low frequency cyclic loading tests. From scanning electron microscope investigations, cellulose EAPap exhibits a layered, anisotropic cellulose macromolecular structure that exhibits both elastic and plastic deformations, as well as substantial temperature and humidity dependence.

Recent Progress on Cellulose-Based Electro-Active Paper, Its Hybrid Nanocomposites and Applications

“…This in-plane strain of cellulose EAPap can be useful for artificial muscle applications. Kim et al [ 32 ] made a special material testing setup to investigate the material properties under different environmental conditions such as temperature and humidity. The initial Young’s modulus of EAPap was in the range of 4–9 GPa, which was higher than that of other polymer materials.…”

Conductivity-Dependent Strain Response of Carbon Nanotube Treated Bacterial Nanocellulose

“…It has been observed before that the mechanical properties of nanocellulose samples have been changed at different environmental conditions [7]. On the other hand, the electrical and mechanical properties of CNTs are sensitive to temperature.…”

“…Recently, research related to cellulose demonstrated its value for diverse applications including actuators and sensors. e new class of �exible cellulose-based electroactive materials was named electroactive paper (EAPap) [7]. It has been discovered that the electric power consumption of EAPap is very low [8].…”

“…It has been discovered that the electric power consumption of EAPap is very low [8]. e actuation principle of cellulose-based EAPap has been analyzed in different research works [7,8]. Also, research has been conducted to investigate the mechanical properties of cellulose and the effect of ambient conditions on these properties.…”

Piezoelectric electro-active paper (EAPap) speaker

“…Young's modulus of the sample stretched under D R = 2.0 is improved up to 280% compared to non-stretched one. A detailed measurement setup of Young's modulus is elsewhere [17]. Due to the stretching process, the surface morphology of regenerated cellulose film was modified from a smooth surface to a gully type shown in Fig.…”