초록 |
Ionic Electro-active Polymer (EAP) actuator such as IPMCs (ionic polymer-metal composites) and CP/SPE (conducting polymer/solid polymer electrolyte) multilayer is the most promising smart materials because of low consumed power , high energy efficiency, and its large bending behaviors in air. Recently, there have been considerable attentions for ionic liquids (IL) as stable solvents in these ionic EAP because of high air-evaporative stability, wide electrochemical potential windows, etc. Although many applications of ionic EAP actuator with ILs have been demonstrated, effective methods of imbibing IL into EAP are not clearly indicated. The purpose of this study is to present effective imbibing methods and characterize state of IL in EAP by analyzing vibrational and electrical characteristics. Polymer transducers were prepared by using impregnation/reduction. They were composed of fluorinated ionic polymer, Nafion 117 on which is chemically deposited with a noble metal like platinum. The used ILs were series of various alkyl imidazolium cations and inorganic anions. These actuators soaked with ILs were characterized by impedance, cyclic voltammetry, FT-Raman, DSC, and laser displacement meter. Experimental results indicated that the actuation performance of new prepared actuators is affected by electrical characteristics such as ionic conductivities. And these electrical characteristics are dependent upon ion-ion interactions in polymer matrix related to vibraional properties of polymers soaked with ILs. To conclude, by using optimal solvent-imbibing method, the prepared EAP/IL actuator has improved electrical properties and actuation capability in air-operation. |