Electroactive behavior of poly(acrylic acid) grafted poly(vinyl alcohol) samples, their synthesis using a Ce(IV) glucose redox system and their characterization

Grafted copolymers of poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) were prepared using a Ce-(IV) glucose redox initiator by free radical polymerization. Three grafted copolymers having 20%, 50% and 80% grafting were selected for this study. Thus-modified polymer was characterized by means of Fourier transform infrared spectra, H-1 NMR, gel permeation chromatography, thermogravimetric analysis and universal testing machine approaches. The membranes were prepared by a solution casting method, where the cross-linking process was performed through the in situ addition of glutaraldehyde and hydrochloric acid as the cross-linking agent and catalyst respectively. The following four membranes were prepared: (i) pure PVA; (ii) 20% grafted PVA; (iii) 50% grafted PVA; (iv) 80% grafted PVA. The membranes obtained were employed in the electroactive behavior study under a DC electric stimulus in different concentrations of electrolyte. The equilibrium bending angles (EBA) of these polymers were studied with respect to time, poly(acrylic acid) content, electric voltage applied across the polymer and ionic strength of the electrolyte used. Experimental results show stable reversibility of the bending behavior of these polymers under an applied DC electric field. The EBA increased with increase in the applied electric voltage and poly(acrylic acid) content within the polymer.