Mechanical characterization of bucky gel morphing nanocomposite for actuating/sensing applications

Abstract

Since the demonstration of the bucky gel actuator (BGA) in 2005, a great deal of effort has been exerted to develop novel applications for this electro-active morphing nanocomposite. This three-layered bimorph nanocomposite can be easily fabricated, operated in air and driven with a few volts. The BGA with improved mechanical strength is an excellent candidate for application in macro- to micro-scale smart structures with actuating and sensing capabilities. However, developing new applications requires identifying and understanding the effective design parameters and mechanical properties, respectively. There has been limited published studies on the mechanical properties of BGA. In this study, the effect of three parameters—layer thickness, carbon nanotube type and weight fraction of components—on the mechanical properties was investigated. Samples were characterized via nano-indentation and DMA. The BGA composed of 22 wt% single-walled carbon nanotubes and 45 wt% ionic liquid exhibited the highest hardness, adhesion, viscosity, and elastic and storage moduli. This study revealed the important role of the carbon nanotube type on BGA adhesion. Samples made with multi-walled carbon nanotubes had the lowest adhesion, which is a required factor in applications such as microfluidics.

Self-Sensing Ionic Polymer Actuators: A Review

“…On the downside, the electromechanical response of IEAPs is also known to be dependent on ambient parameters such as humidity and temperature [34,36]. Issues of repeatability can emerge due to viscoelastic creep that depends both on the temperature of the environment as well as the heating induced by the actuator's driving signal [37][38][39][40]. The performance of IEAP actuators has been reported to change both because of repeated work-cycles as well as the spontaneous deterioration [23,41].…”

Degree of Crystallinity and Phase Fraction of Polyvinylidene Fluoride Nanocomposites Containing Ionic Liquid and Graphene/Carbon Nanotube

“…It was shown that functionalized carbon nanotube (CNT) by aromatic diamine , crosslinked super‐growth CNTs , and multi‐walled CNT improved the BGA performance significantly. Lastly, the effects of geometrical parameters on the mechanical properties of the BGA were studied and it was shown that using thinner BGA resulted in the higher curvature of bimorph.…”

Application of Bucky Gel in Fabrication of a Low-Voltage Rapid Microvalve for Flow Regulation

“…Mechanical characterization of BGA via nanoindentation and dynamical mechanical analysis has been reported by the authors. 10 BGA maximum lateral displacement, shelf life (change in displacement after being stored), and lifetime (change in displacement over time) has also been studied by our group to identify the effect of applied voltage and frequency, CNT type, thickness, and weight fraction of constituents. 11 On the basis of the later study, a displacement model was also developed for BGA samples made of different CNT and ionic liquid types.…”

“…To date, most research conducted on BGA has been focused on characterization − and performance enhancement, − rather than its applications. Mechanical characterization of BGA via nanoindentation and dynamical mechanical analysis has been reported by the authors .…”