Conducting Polymers as EAPs: Fundamentals and Materials

Otero, Toribio F.; Martínez, José G.

doi:10.1007/978-3-319-31767-0_11-1

Cited by 1 publication

(1 citation statement)

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“…As can be seen in Figure 18, in the oxidation process, by removing electrons and insertion of anions, a behavior of crosslinking between the generated polarons and dopant anions will occur, which leads to a swell in the actuator. In the reduction process by applying a negative voltage, the compression/swelling response is dependent on the neutralized anion's size and mobility; if the dopant anion is small and mobile (Figure 18a), anions and solvent molecules will be exiled out of the polymer to preserve its neutralization, which leads to a polymer shrinkage, while if the dopant anion is large and immobile (Figure 18b), anions cannot leave the polymer matrix during the reduction, so the cation in the solution will move toward the polymer to neutralize anions, which leads to a further expansion in the polymer matrix [60,61]. Hydrogels based on conductive polymers have some advantages, such as low voltage needed, high conductivity, good biological compatibility, high water content, and hierarchical interconnected structure [62][63][64].…”

Section: Conductive Polymersmentioning

confidence: 99%

Electroactive Polymer-Based Composites for Artificial Muscle-like Actuators: A Review

et al. 2022

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Unlike traditional actuators, such as piezoelectric ceramic or metallic actuators, polymer actuators are currently attracting more interest in biomedicine due to their unique properties, such as light weight, easy processing, biodegradability, fast response, large active strains, and good mechanical properties. They can be actuated under external stimuli, such as chemical (pH changes), electric, humidity, light, temperature, and magnetic field. Electroactive polymers (EAPs), called ‘artificial muscles’, can be activated by an electric stimulus, and fixed into a temporary shape. Restoring their permanent shape after the release of an electrical field, electroactive polymer is considered the most attractive actuator type because of its high suitability for prosthetics and soft robotics applications. However, robust control, modeling non-linear behavior, and scalable fabrication are considered the most critical challenges for applying the soft robotic systems in real conditions. Researchers from around the world investigate the scientific and engineering foundations of polymer actuators, especially the principles of their work, for the purpose of a better control of their capability and durability. The activation method of actuators and the realization of required mechanical properties are the main restrictions on using actuators in real applications. The latest highlights, operating principles, perspectives, and challenges of electroactive materials (EAPs) such as dielectric EAPs, ferroelectric polymers, electrostrictive graft elastomers, liquid crystal elastomers, ionic gels, and ionic polymer–metal composites are reviewed in this article.

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