Force optimization of ionic polymer metal composite actuators by an orthogonal array method

• Published in: Chinese science bulletin Vol. 56; no. 19; pp. 2061 - 2070
• Main Authors: Yu, Min, He, QingSong, Ding, Yan, Guo, DongJie, Li, JiaBo, Dai, ZhenDong
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Heidelberg Springer-Verlag 01.07.2011; SP Science China Press
• Subjects: Actuators; Chemistry/Food Science; Displacement; Earth Sciences; Engineering; Humanities and Social Sciences; IPMC; Life Sciences; multidisciplinary; muscles; Optimization; Orthogonal arrays; Physics; Platinum; Process parameters; Reducing agents; salt concentration; Science; Science (multidisciplinary); Tetraethyl orthosilicate; 优化条件; 正硅酸乙酯; 电活性聚合物; 直交; 离子聚合物; 致动器; 金属复合材料; orthogonal array method; force optimization; ionic polymer metal composite
• ISSN: 1001-6538; 1861-9541
• DOI: 10.1007/s11434-011-4509-9

Ionic polymer metal composites (IPMCs), a new kind of electro-active polymer, can be used for micro robotic actuators, artificial muscles and dynamic sensors. However, IPMC actuators have the major drawbacks of a low generative blocking force and dependence on a humid environment, which limit their further application. Multiple process parameters for the fabrication of IPMCs were optimized to produce a maximum blocking force; the parameters included reducing agent concentration, platinum salt concentration in the initial compositing process, and tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) content. An orthogonal array method was designed and a series of fabrication experiments were carried out to identify the optimum process parameters. The results show that the platinum salt concentration in the initial compositing process plays the most significant role in improving the blocking force of IPMCs, the TEOS content plays an important role, and the reducing agent concentration has no apparent effect on the blocking force. In the optimized conditions, the IPMC actuator exhibited maximum blocking force of 50 mN, and the corresponding displacement was 14 mm. Compared with normal conditions, the blocking force improved 2.4-fold without sacrificing the displacement, and the effective air-operating life was prolonged 5.8-fold for the blocking force and 5-fold for the displacement. This study lays a solid foundation for further applications of IPMCs.