Relationship between Elasticity and Contraction Force in Conducting Polymer; Polyaniline Softactuator

Abstract

Conducting polymers expand and contract by electrochemical oxidation and reduction, respectively. The electrochemical deformation (strain), which is caused by insertion and exclusion of anion, demonstrates artificial muscles (softactuator). The magnitude of strain depends on bulkiness (size) and number of inserted anions. The contraction force (stress) is associated with the elasticity of polymers. In this study the electrochemical strain has been measured as a function of tensile loads to elucidate the mechanism of electrochemical stress in conducting polymer, polyaniline films in various acid electrolytes. The results of electrochemical stress are compared with the elasticities of the films obtained by static stress-strain curves. The electrochemical stress is qualitatively discussed based on the elasticity of the films and anion size of various acid electrolytes.