Preparation and characterization analysis of carbon nanotubes and graphene electrode modified carbon nanotubes reinforced IPMC

Abstract

IPMC is a new type of polymer material that will act violently to the stimulation of electrical signals. IPMC has changed the traditional mechanical driving mode. However, the development of IPMC is limited by factors like manufacture cost. In order to reduce the manufacture cost of IPMC, improve the output displacement and output force of IPMC, and make IPMC closer to real life, in this paper, we use carbon nanotubes to modify the ion exchange membrane of IPMC, and PDDA to modify carbon nanotubes and graphene. A graphite plated electrode and a carbon nanotube electrode were coated on a platinum plated IPMC. The common modified Pt-IPMC, carbon nanotubes modified Pt-IPMC, carbon nanotubes modified GS-IPMC, and carbon nanotubes modified CNT-IPMC were prepared. Through the experiment, it is found that the maximum output displacement of GS-IPMC modified by carbon nanotubes is 4.9 mm, and the maximum output force is 39 mN. The output displacement of ordinary Pt IPMC is 3.18 mm and the maximum output force is 31 mN. The maximum displacement and output force of GS-IPMC modified by CNTs are higher than those of Pt IPMC, which is more suitable for research and application.

Current research status of ionic polymer–metal composites in applications of low-voltage actuators

“…This study demonstrated that reducing surface electrode resistance could enhance the drive capability of the IPMC actuator. Moreover, Zhao Jintao et al 85,86 coated graphite and carbon nanotube electrodes onto platinum-plated IPMCs, leading to a maximum output tip displacement of 4.9 mm and a maximum output force of 39 mN. These values exceeded those of a typical Pt-electrode-based IPMC (3.18 mm and 31 mN), which verified that using this approach, not only was cost reduced, but also both maximum tip displacement and output force were increased.…”