2019 Volume 44 Issue 3 Pages 79-84
Conducting polymer is a promising material for softactuators in human friendly robots. The large deformation is induced by electrochemical (EC) oxidation and reduction with low voltage operation. The contraction ratio (EC strain) is determined by the size and number of inserted anions. In this report, the origin of contraction force (EC stress) has been discussed from the measurements of strain and creeping under tensile loads in electrodeposited polypyrrole films. The blocking stress is more than 30 MPa. The EC stress relates to the elasticity of films and depends on electrolytes for preparation and operation of actuation. EC strain is found to be almost constant until certain level of load stress in films prepared with larger anion and operated by smaller anion, indicating muscle like behavior.
