Nanostructured MWCNT/Polypyrrole Actuators with Anisotropic Strain Response

Abstract

Conducting polymers (CP) as an active material in electrochemical actuators are often likened to "artificial muscles". To transfer the isotropic change of volume in the CP component into an anisotropic actuation as in a natural muscle, different design approaches, mostly bilayer or triple layer bending devices, have been studied. Herein, we report a novel actuator design with an almost linear strain response, consisting of nanostructured aligned multi-walled carbon nanotube arrays in which each MWCNT is individually coated with a thin layer of polypyrrole.

Morphology- and ion size-induced actuation of carbon nanotube architectures

“…In this set-up, the CNT films are working as electrodes with no specific active task. More basic investigations are performed using aligned CNT/ polymeric composites such as highly aligned polypyrrole-coated CNT papers (PPy/CNT papers) [32] and PPy-coated highly vertical aligned MWCNT arrays [33]. Due to the fact that two active materials are combined, a clear distinction between the actuationinduced effects cannot be made.…”

“…Due to the fact that two active materials are combined, a clear distinction between the actuationinduced effects cannot be made. Furthermore, [32] used CNTs only for mechanical reinforcement and Schoor's results [33] pointed out the dominant actuation role of PPy. Even light-driven CNT/polymeric actuators [34] have been demonstrated, but a clear explanation of the effect could not be given due to the multi-material set-up.…”

Electrochemical and electromechanical behavior of Nafion-based soft actuators with PPy/CB/MWCNT nanocomposite electrodes

“…Moreover, it has been established that MWCNTs change dimensions upon applying an external potential. 61 The predominant actuation mechanism for the MWCNTs is the electrostatic repulsion between CNTs that are equally charged and the establishment of an electrostatic double layer which prompts the CNT layer to swell. 61 This results in the formation of a thicker double layer near the cathode and bending deformation of the sample towards the anode.…”

“…61 The predominant actuation mechanism for the MWCNTs is the electrostatic repulsion between CNTs that are equally charged and the establishment of an electrostatic double layer which prompts the CNT layer to swell. 61 This results in the formation of a thicker double layer near the cathode and bending deformation of the sample towards the anode. On application of a higher voltage to actuators with higher capacitance, more charge accumulates on the electrodes and a greater number of hydrated ions diffuse electrically towards the cathode.…”

MWCNTs as Conductive Network for Monodispersed Fe3O4 Nanoparticles to Enhance the Wave Absorption Performances

“…Due to the unique mechanical and thermal properties of MWCNTs, MWCNTs decorated materials often exhibit excellent properties . Herein, the lightweight MWCNTs decorated by uniform Fe 3 O 4 NPs were synthesized with a simple solvothermal method.…”