Actuative Properties of CP Actuator Consisting of Polypyrrole Film and Solid Polymer Electrolyte

摘要

Conducting polymer (CP) actuators undergo volumetric changes due to the movement of dopant ions into the film during the electrical oxidation process. However, it may be an impediment for practical use of polypyrrole actuator that polypyrrole usually requires electrolyte solution for actuation. To solve this problem, solid polymer electrolyte(SPE) was introduced in CP actuator instead of electrolyte solution. And PPy/SPE/PPy electroactive tri-layer actuator was prepared by the electrochemical polymerization of pyrrole and the actuation characteristics were studied. An all-solid actuator, consisting of two polypyrrole films and a solid polymer electrolyte based on polyurethane, clearly showed a reversible displacement in an atmosphere when a voltage was applied.