Poly(3-methylthiophene) electrochemical actuators showing increased strain and work per cycle at higher operating stresses

Authors

Van-Tan Truong, Defence Science and Technology OrganisationFollow
Philip G. Whitten, University of WollongongFollow
Jie Ding, University of Wollongong
Binbin Xi, University of WollongongFollow
Geoffrey M. Spinks, University of WollongongFollow
G G. Wallace, University of WollongongFollow

RIS ID

16493

Publication Details

Xi, B., Truong, V. T., Whitten, P. G., Ding, J., Spinks, G. Maxwell. and Wallace, G. G. (2006). Poly(3-methylthiophene) electrochemical actuators showing increased strain and work per cycle at higher operating stresses. Polymer, 47 (22), 7720-7725.

Abstract

Conducting polymers, such as polythiophenes, are promising low voltage actuator materials. The performance of these materials has improved significantly in recent years. A remaining problem, however, is the significant decline in the actuation strain produced when the external stress is increased. Using a poly(3-methylthiophene) actuator in an ionic liquid electrolyte it is shown that the isotonic actuation actually increases with increasing applied stress. The work output per cycle consequently increases at higher stresses, which is very desirable for practical devices. Although theoretically predicted, these results are the first demonstration of the increased actuator performance at higher operating stresses. The actuation behaviour was found to be strongly dependent upon the operating electrolyte and explained by the shifts in the elastic modulus of the actuator material that occurred during operation.