Behavior of ionic conducting IPN actuators in simulated space conditions

Adelyne Fannir; Cédric Plesse; Giao T. M. Nguyen; Elisabeth Laurent; Laurent Cadiergues; Frédéric Vidal

doi:10.1117/12.2222169

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15 April 2016 Behavior of ionic conducting IPN actuators in simulated space conditions

Adelyne Fannir, Cédric Plesse, Giao T. M. Nguyen, Elisabeth Laurent, Laurent Cadiergues, Frédéric Vidal

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Proceedings Volume 9798, Electroactive Polymer Actuators and Devices (EAPAD) 2016; 979826 (2016) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2222169
Event: SPIE Smart Structures and Materials + Nondestructive Evaluation and Health Monitoring, 2016, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

Abstract

The presentation focuses on the performances of flexible all-polymer electroactive actuators under space-hazardous environmental factors in laboratory conditions. These bending actuators are based on high molecular weight nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR), poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) derivative and poly(3,4-ethylenedioxithiophene) (PEDOT). The electroactive PEDOT is embedded within the PEO/NBR membrane which is subsequently swollen with an ionic liquid as electrolyte. Actuators have been submitted to thermal cycling test between -25 to 60°C under vacuum (2.4 10^-8 mbar) and to ionizing Gamma radiations at a level of 210 rad/h during 100 h. Actuators have been characterized before and after space environmental condition ageing. In particular, the viscoelasticity properties and mechanical resistance of the materials have been determined by dynamic mechanical analysis and tensile tests. The evolution of the actuation properties as the strain and the output force have been characterized as well. The long-term vacuuming, the freezing temperature and the Gamma radiations do not affect significantly the thermomechanical properties of conducting IPNs actuators. Only a slight decrease on actuation performances has been observed.

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Adelyne Fannir, Cédric Plesse, Giao T. M. Nguyen, Elisabeth Laurent, Laurent Cadiergues, and Frédéric Vidal "Behavior of ionic conducting IPN actuators in simulated space conditions", Proc. SPIE 9798, Electroactive Polymer Actuators and Devices (EAPAD) 2016, 979826 (15 April 2016); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2222169

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