Ionic Electrochemical Actuators

Abstract

Ionic electroactive polymer (iEAP) actuators with ionic liquid (IL) electrolytes are distinguished by their ability to operate in ambient air with an enhanced lifetime. This chapter reports the developments in iEAP actuator technologies for several applications, with a particular focus on the use of conducting polymers (CPs). CPs have attracted attention because of their promising electronic, optical and electromechanical properties. These smart materials are characterized by their possible dimensional changes due to the migration or diffusion of ions upon electrochemical oxidation or reduction processes. In an adequate ionic conducting medium, CPs can be used as the active component in actuators and lead to interesting potential applications, including soft robotics, prosthetic devices, microsystems and medical devices. This chapter starts with an overview of existing iEAP actuators. CP actuation mechanisms and configurations are explained in detail, and existing and potential applications are discussed, emphasizing the benefits of using ionic liquids (high ionic conductivity, non-volatility, larger electrochemical window and biocompatibility). Finally, to conclude, the future developments and challenges in this area are discussed.

Advancing Cardiomyocyte Maturation: Current Strategies and Promising Conductive Polymer‐Based Approaches

“…This reversible process generates significant stress ranging from 1-5 MPa and a strain of a few percent (1-15%). [207,208] The actuators can operate in virtually any aqueous salt solution, blood plasma, urine, or cell culture medium. [209] Only a limited number of CPs have been utilized for the design of electromechanical active materials.…”

Electroactive Polymers Obtained by Conventional and Non-Conventional Technologies

“…However, expansion/contraction is given at the cathode/anode resulting in electromechanical displacement towards the anode. Bending actuation performance can be tuned as a function of several variables, including applied polarization, temperature, the intensity of the electrical stimulus, type and size of the dopant, among others [17]. Ionic EAPs actuators are polymer actuators that present electro-induced mechanical displacement due to ion diffusion/migration within the polymeric matrix.…”

Electrochemical Soft Actuator: Deciphering the Difference in the Characteristics of Polaronic and Bipolaronic Forms of Polyaniline

“…Actuators based on conducting polymers such as polyaniline (PANI), − polyethylenedioxythiophene (PEDOT), and polypyrrole (PPy) have attracted considerable attention in the last few decades. Low operating potential, high stress generation, lightweight, biocompatibility, low cost, and ease of fabrication are some of the advantages . The actuation mechanism is based on changes in redox states during the potential scan which results in doping/de-doping of counterions with solvent molecules to maintain electroneutrality inside the polymer resulting in significant volume changes …”

“…Low operating potential, high stress generation, lightweight, biocompatibility, low cost, and ease of fabrication are some of the advantages . The actuation mechanism is based on changes in redox states during the potential scan which results in doping/de-doping of counterions with solvent molecules to maintain electroneutrality inside the polymer resulting in significant volume changes …”