Cross-linked carbon nanotubes buckygel actuators: an in-depth study

David Gendron; Grzegorz Bubak; Luca Ceseracciu; Alberto Ansaldo; Davide Ricci

doi:10.1117/12.2084227

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1 April 2015 Cross-linked carbon nanotubes buckygel actuators: an in-depth study

David Gendron, Grzegorz Bubak, Luca Ceseracciu, Alberto Ansaldo, Davide Ricci

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Proceedings Volume 9430, Electroactive Polymer Actuators and Devices (EAPAD) 2015; 94300U (2015) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2084227
Event: SPIE Smart Structures and Materials + Nondestructive Evaluation and Health Monitoring, 2015, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

Recently, materials that can convert electrical energy into mechanical work have drawn great attention. Applications in robotics, tactile or optical displays and microelectrochemical systems are currently investigated. Likewise, interest in actuators devices is increasing toward applications where low voltage and low weight properties are required. One way to achieve such prerequisites is to combine the mechanical and electronic properties of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with the stability and conductivity of ionic liquids. Indeed, the CNTs can be dispersed in ionic liquids to form hybrid composites also named bucky gels, thanks to the non-covalent (π-π stacking and cation-π) interactions. In our previous studies, we demonstrated an improvement in actuator performance whilst using cross-linked CNTs. Indeed, our preliminary results showed an increase in the capacitance together with a faster response of the actuator. At the time, these results were explained by an actuation mechanism model.

Herein, we designed new experiments in order to allow us to get a deeper insight in the effect the crosslinking process on the carbon nanotubes properties. Thus, we present a set of electromechanical and electrochemical data that shed light on the chemical modification of the CNTs, the different cross-linking strategies and also on the uses of cross-linked CNTS polymer blends. Finally, corresponding bucky gels actuators performances will also be discussed.

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David Gendron, Grzegorz Bubak, Luca Ceseracciu, Alberto Ansaldo, and Davide Ricci "Cross-linked carbon nanotubes buckygel actuators: an in-depth study", Proc. SPIE 9430, Electroactive Polymer Actuators and Devices (EAPAD) 2015, 94300U (1 April 2015); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2084227

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