Effects of Carbon Electrode Materials on Performance of Ionic Polymer Actuators Having Electric Double-Layer Capacitor Structure

Abstract

Electroactive polymer actuators composed of ion-gel electrolyte (polymer gel containing ionic liquid) and composite carbon electrodes were prepared. The ion-gel actuators could be driven by charging and discharging the electric double-layer of the carbon electrodes. Four different carbon materials were used to prepare composite electrodes. The effects of physical properties of the carbon electrode materials on the actuator performance were explored. The actuators bent toward the anodic side by applying low voltages (<3 V) under atmospheric conditions. By utilizing a highly electron-conductive carbon electrode material having a high specific surface area, large deformation and fast response ability against electric stimulus of the actuator could be achieved.