Effects of Ferroelectric Fillers on Composite Dielectric Elastomer Actuator

Integrating nano- to micro-sized dielectric fillers elastomer matrices form composites is one of the commonly utilized methods improve performance actuators (DEAs). Barium titanate (BaTiO3) among widely used ferroelectric for this purpose; however, calcium copper CaCu3Ti4O12 (CCTO) has potential outperform such conventional fillers. Despite their promising performance, CCTO-based DEA application are studied a relatively lower degree. Particularly, characterized comparably small particle loading range, while critical properties as breakdown strength and nonlinear elasticity barely addressed in literature. Thus, study, CCTO was paired with polydimethylsiloxane (CH3)3SiO[Si(CH3)2O]nSi(CH3)3 (PDMS), Sylgard 184, gain comprehensive understanding effects size on composite important applications. The composites’ described through figures merit (FOMs) that consider materials’ Young’s modulus, permittivity, strength. optimum amounts filler were determined FOMs maximize performance. Lastly, electromechanical testing pre-stretched CCTO-composite validated improved over plain DEA, deviations from prediction attributed nonlinearity.