Force optimization of ionic polymer metal composite actuators by an orthogonal array method  

作　　者：YU Min HE QingSong DING Yan GUO DongJie LI JiaBo DAI ZhenDong 

机构地区：[1]Institute of Bio-inspired Structure and Surface Engineering, Nanjing University of Aeronautics & Astronautics, Nanjing 210016, China [2]College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Nanjing University of Aeronautics & Astronautics, Nanjing 210016, China

出　　处：《Chinese Science Bulletin》2011年第19期2061-2070,共10页

基　　金：supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (50705043, 50805076, 50975140)

摘　　要：Ionic polymer metal composites (IPMCs), a new kind of electro-active polymer, can be used for micro robotic actuators, artificial muscles and dynamic sensors. However, IPMC actuators have the major drawbacks of a low generative blocking force and dependence on a humid environment, which limit their further application. Multiple process parameters for the fabrication of IPMCs were optimized to produce a maximum blocking force; the parameters included reducing agent concentration, platinum salt concentration in the initial compositing process, and tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) content. An orthogonal array method was designed and a series of fabrication experiments were carried out to identify the optimum process parameters. The results show that the platinum salt concentration in the initial compositing process plays the most significant role in improving the blocking force of IPMCs, the TEOS content plays an important role, and the reducing agent concentration has no apparent effect on the blocking force. In the optimized conditions, the IPMC actuator exhibited maximum blocking force of 50 mN, and the corresponding displacement was 14 mm. Compared with normal conditions, the blocking force improved 2.4-fold without sacrificing the displacement, and the effective air-operating life was prolonged 5.8-fold for the blocking force and 5-fold for the displacement. This study lays a solid foundation for further applications of IPMCs.Ionic polymer metal composites （IPMCs）, a new kind of electro-active polymer, can be used for micro robotic actuators, artificial muscles and dynamic sensors. However, IPMC actuators have the major drawbacks of a low generative blocking force and dependence on a humid environment, which limit their further application. Multiple process parameters for the fabrication of 1PMCs were optimized to produce a maximum blocking force; the parameters included reducing agent concentration, platinum salt concentration in the initial compositing process, and tetraethyl orthosilicate （TEOS） content. An orthogonal array method was designed and a series of fabrication experiments were carried out to identify the optimum process parameters. The results show that the platinum salt concentration in the initial compositing process plays the most significant role in improving the blocking force of IPMCs, the TEOS content plays an important role, and the reducing agent concentration has no apparent effect on the blocking force. In the optimized conditions, the IPMC actuator exhibited maximum blocking force of 50 mN, and the corresponding displacement was 14 mm. Compared with normal conditions, the blocking force improved 2.4-fold without sacrificing the displacement, and the effective air-operating life was prolonged 5.8-fold for the blocking force and 5-fold for the displacement. This study lays a solid foundation for further applications of IPMCs.

关 键 词：金属复合材料 离子聚合物 优化条件 致动器 正硅酸乙酯 直交 电活性聚合物 IPMC 

分 类 号：TB333[一般工业技术—材料科学与工程]