Electromechanical behavior of carbon nanotube sheets in electrochemical actuators

Alberto Mazzoldi; Danilo De Rossi; Ray H. Baughman

doi:10.1117/12.387799

7 June 2000 Electromechanical behavior of carbon nanotube sheets in electrochemical actuators

Alberto Mazzoldi, Danilo De Rossi, Ray H. Baughman

Proceedings Volume 3987, Smart Structures and Materials 2000: Electroactive Polymer Actuators and Devices (EAPAD); (2000) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.387799
Event: SPIE's 7th Annual International Symposium on Smart Structures and Materials, 2000, Newport Beach, CA, United States

Abstract

There is considerable need for light, low-volume actuators having long-cycle-life that can generate displacements and high forces when low voltages are applied. Electroactive polymers possess some of these characteristics, but improvements are needed. We describe work on a promising new type of actuator that is based on non-faradaic electrochemical charge injection in carbon nanotube sheets. While large actuator strokes combined with giant stress generation capabilities are predicted for optimized materials, the present stage of actuator development is embryonic and major materials advances are required to realize these features. The present work describes recent advances in increasing the actuator stroke and stress generation capabilities well above our initially obtained values for carbon nanotube actuators. Operating these actuators in 1M NaCl at low voltages (-0.5 to 1.5 V vs. SCE) we obtained actuator strain of up to 1%. Although the generated stresses are much higher than those of natural muscles, they are many orders of magnitude lower than predicted for nanotube sheets that fully utilize the mechanical properties of the individual nanotubes.

Citation Download Citation

Alberto Mazzoldi, Danilo De Rossi, and Ray H. Baughman "Electromechanical behavior of carbon nanotube sheets in electrochemical actuators", Proc. SPIE 3987, Smart Structures and Materials 2000: Electroactive Polymer Actuators and Devices (EAPAD), (7 June 2000); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.387799

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