ENHANCED BEHAVIORS OF IONIC-POLYMER METAL COMPOSITE ACTUATOR COUPLED WITH POLYMERIC ANION-DOPED

초록

Many studies of the actuator have been reported improvement in function of actuator for micro robotics, artificial muscles, manipulation, and many other applications. In this study, electrochemical and electromechanical characteristics of the IPMC actuator coupled with polymeric anion-doped polypyrrole thin film were investigated. We used the electro deposition and electroless deposition methods for preparation of IPMC actuators. The IPMC becomes swelling because hydrated cations in ionic-exchange membrane go toward cathode in actuator. Also the polypyrrole film electrodeposited on the IPMC becomes swelling as cations are inserted from electrolyte to the polypyrrole film. Therefore the charging current is increased and the bending performance of the displacement is improved. A disadvantage of the IPMC is that the displacement decays gradually at constant potential. However the displacement of the IPMC actuator coupled with polymeric anion-doped polypyrrole thin film is unified without its decrease at constant potential. Analysis of the IPMC characteristics showed that the IPMC actuator coupled with polymeric anion-doped polypyrrole thin film has more advantages than the IPMC that the polypyrrole does not exist in various electrolytes