A solid state actuator based on the PEDOT/NBR system

This paper reports the fabrication of a dry type conducting polymer actuator using nitrile rubber (NBR) as the base material for a solid polymer electrolyte. Thin films of NBR (150-200 μm) were prepared by using a compression molding process. A conducting polymer, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT), was synthesized on the surface of the NBR layer by using a chemical oxidation polymerization technique, and room temperature ionic liquids (RTIL) based on imidazolium salts, e.g. 1-butyl-3-methyl imidazolium X [where X = BF₄^-, PF₆^-, (CF₃SO₂)₂N^-], were absorbed into the composite film. The effects of the anion-size of the ionic liquids on the displacement of the actuator were examined. The displacement increased with increasing the anion-size of the ionic liquids. The cyclic voltammetric responses and the redox switching dynamics of the actuators using different ionic liquids were examined.