Tailoring the actuation of ionic polymer–metal composites

Ionic polymer–metal composites (IPMCs) are biomimetic actuators and sensors. A typical IPMC consists of a thin perfluorinated ionomer membrane, with noble metal electrodes plated on both faces, and neutralized with the necessary amount of cations. A cantilevered strip of IPMC responds to an electric stimulus by generating large bending motions and, conversely, produces an electric potential upon sudden bending deformations. IPMCs have been considered for potential applications in artificial muscles, robotic systems, and biomedical devices. By examining the underpinning mechanisms responsible for the actuation and the factors that affect IPMC’s performance, novel methods to tailor its electro-mechanical response to obtain optimized actuation activities are developed and presented in this paper. By introducing various monovalent or multivalent single cations and cation combinations, diverse actuation behaviors can be obtained and optimal actuation activities can be identified. The experimental measurements show good agreement with the results obtained using the nano-scaled, physics-based model that was introduced by the first author to predict the actuation of IPMCs qualitatively and quantitatively. The bending motion of IPMCs can also be tailored by modifying the time variation of the applied direct or alternating current. We have discovered that the Nafion-based IPMC’s initial motion towards the anode can be controlled and ultimately eliminated by applying a linearly increasing electric potential at a suitable rate. For Flemion-based IPMCs, the tip displacement towards the anode is always linearly related to the cation charge accumulation at the cathode. These results have significant bearing on verifying various IPMC actuation models. (Some figures in this article are in colour only in the electronic version)