Actuator materials convert the input stimuli such as heat, humidity, electric voltage, and electrochemical process to mechanical output. Among a diversity of the candidates, conducting polymers (CPs) have drawn considerable attention benefiting from their light-weight, low cost, non-toxicity, flexibility, ease of processing, low working voltage (around 1 volt), and large stroke [1, 2]. Application of electric potentials to CPs in an electrolyte alters charge content in polymer matrix, prompting ions exchange between the surrounding electrolyte and the polymer bulk, which results in large dimensional changes. However, the actuation performance is considerably affected by the resistance and the accompanying slow ion transport. Herein, we propose to deposit poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) on a stiff metallic three-dimensional film – nanoporous gold (NPG) – to enhance its mechanical rigidity and conductivity. Dealloying-driven NPG provides a freestanding, mechanically stable nanoligaments network with extremely large surface area and metallic conductivity [3]. The fabrication of hybrid bilayer electrochemical actuators, their morphology, as well as the electrochemical actuation results will be presented.

References

[1] H. Okizaki, S. Takagi, F. Hishiki, R. Tanigawa; Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical, 2014, 194, 59-63.

[2] D.X. Wang, C. Lu, J.J. Zhao, S. Han, M.H. Wu, W. Chen; RSC Advances, 2017, 7, 31264-31271.

[3] F.H. Meng, Y. Ding; Advanced Materials, 2011, 23, 4089-4102.