Surface characterization of polyvinylidene fluoride (pvdf) in its application as an actuator

摘要

Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF) is a common piezoelectric polymer. It is widelyutilized because of its advantageous mechanical, chemical, and electromechanicalproperties. An interesting application for its properties lies in using it as an actuator,specifically for a microgripper device. The microgripper has many applications such assurgeries, microassembly, and micromanipulation. The friction force is an importantcriterion that greatly affects the gripping. This research studies the frictional behavior ofthe PVDF and effects of applied electrical potential. Approaches include tribologicalinvestigation of the polymer associated with surface properties. The surfacecharacterization was conducted using a profilometer and an Atomic Force Microscope(AFM). In addition, the application of a PVDF material as a microgripper is addressedalong with the design of the gripper.It was found that the friction could be turned-on and off because of external appliedelectrical potential. Such behavior was associated with the microstructure, where dipoleswere aligned in an electrical field. Such active-friction has not been reported in the past.This work opens new areas of research in fundamental friction that benefits the designand development of small devices such as a microgripper.