Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) actuators: the role of cation and anion choice

Nathan A. Vandesteeg; Patrick A. Anquetil; Ian W. Hunter

doi:10.1117/12.540012

27 July 2004 Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) actuators: the role of cation and anion choice

Nathan A. Vandesteeg, Patrick A. Anquetil, Ian W. Hunter

Proceedings Volume 5385, Smart Structures and Materials 2004: Electroactive Polymer Actuators and Devices (EAPAD); (2004) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.540012
Event: Smart Structures and Materials, 2004, San Diego, CA, United States

Abstract

Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene), or PEDOT, freestanding films were synthesized and characterized as conducting polymer linear actuators. Variations of solvent and electrolyte led to the observation of strains greater than 4% with maximum strain rates of 0.2%/s during electrochemical interrogation in an ionic liquid environment. The ionic liquid 1,3-butylmethylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate, BMIMPF6, enabled the largest strains to be observed repeatedly while the polymer was held at a stress of 1.0MPa over tens of cycles. The ionic liquid environment also produced a single polarity in the relationship between charge and strain. This single polarity suggested that only the imidazolium cation was actively intercalating into and out of the polymer film. The possible sources and consequences of such a mechanism as compared to actuation in conventional solvents and electrolytes which show dual polarity of charge and strain is discussed.

Citation Download Citation

Nathan A. Vandesteeg, Patrick A. Anquetil, and Ian W. Hunter "Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) actuators: the role of cation and anion choice", Proc. SPIE 5385, Smart Structures and Materials 2004: Electroactive Polymer Actuators and Devices (EAPAD), (27 July 2004); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.540012

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