Self-sensing ionic electromechanically active actuator with patterned carbon electrodes

In comparison to other ionic electromechanically active polymers (ionic EAP), carbon-polymer composite (CPC) actuators are considered especially attractive due to possibility of producing completely metal-free devices. However, mechanical response of ionic EAP-s is, in addition to voltage and frequency, dependent on environmental variables such as humidity and temperature. Therefore, similarly to other EAPs, one of the major challenges lies in achieving controlled actuation of the CPC sample. Due to their size and added complexity, external feedback devices (e.g. laser displacement sensors and video cameras) tend to inhibit the application of micro-scale actuators. Hence, self-sensing EAP actuators capable for simultaneous actuation and sensing - are often desired. A thin polyvinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene film with ionic liquid (EMIMBF4) was prepared and masked coincidently on opposite surfaces prior to spray painting carbide-derived carbon electrodes. The purpose of masking was to create different electrically insulated electrodes on the same surface of polymer in order to achieve separate sections for actuator and sensor on one piece of CPC material. Solution of electrode paint consisting of carbide-derived carbon, EMIMBF4 and dimethylacetamide was applied to the polymer film. After removing the masking tape, a completely metal-free CPC actuator with sophisticated electrode geometry was achieved to foster simultaneous sensing and actuation, i.e. self-sensing carbon-polymer actuator was created.