Analysis of the Performance of a Gel Actuator Made of Plasticized Polyvinyl Chloride/Carboxylated Cellulose Nanocrystals

Abstract

Recently, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) gel materials appeared promising for developing actuators, artificial muscles, and sensors. However, their energized response time and recovery limitations restrict their broader applications. Herein, a novel soft composite gel was prepared by mixing functionalized carboxylated cellulose nanocrystals (CCNs) and plasticized PVC. The surface morphology of the plasticized PVC/CCNs composite gel was characterized by scanning electronic microscopy (SEM). The prepared PVC/CCNs gel composites have increased polarity and electrical actuation with a fast response time. Experimental results demonstrated good response characteristics within the actuator model with a multilayer electrode structure when stimulated with a specified DC voltage (1000 V), with deformation of approximately 36.7%. Moreover, this PVC/CCNs gel has excellent tensile elongation, and the elongation at break of the PVC/CCNs gel is greater than the elongation at break of the pure PVC gel under the same thickness conditions. However, these PVC/CCNs composite gels showed excellent properties and development potential and are directed for broad applications in actuators, soft-robotics, and biomedical applications.

Cellulose-Based Intelligent Responsive Materials: A Review

“…The cellulose of the paper is arranged through the regeneration process, and usually the solid material undergoes Coulomb interaction at higher voltages, leading to bending and responses. Muhammad et al [91] prepared a new type of composite gel from functionalized cellulose carboxylate nanocrystals (CCNs) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Under the excitation of the specified DC voltage (1000 V), the deformation of the actuator was about 36.7%, as shown in Figure 9a.…”

Characteristics Analysis of Plasticized Polyvinyl Chloride Gel-Based Microlens at Different Temperatures

“…As a result, the DBA molecules were polarized, causing the PVC chains to open and allowing DBA to pass through the PVC gel network. , In our recently reported work, we developed a novel soft composite gel by blending functionalized carboxylated cellulose nanocrystals (CCNs) with plasticized PVC. These PVC/CCN gel composites exhibited increased polarity and electrical conductivity, making them suitable as filling materials for soft body actuators with fast response times …”

“…These PVC/CCN gel composites exhibited increased polarity and electrical conductivity, making them suitable as filling materials for soft body actuators with fast response times. 16 …”