Preparation And Electromechanical Properties Of Nafion-metal Composites

The ionic polymer–metal composites (IPMCs), which have potential applications such as actuators, sensors, and artificial muscles, are synthesized by using Pt particles deposited on ion-exchange membrane. The limitation of the expensive raw material and uncertainty of properties make it difficult to utilize practically.In this paper, IPMC samples were prepared for the purpose of searching new methods of synthesizing the IPMCs with low price and high performance. Ag-IPMC was manufactured by electroless plating silver grains on both sides of Nafion? film. Disperse agent (PVP) was subsequently involved during the reduction reaction to prevent the particles from agglomeration. In addition, an innovative bimetallic electrode IPMC was fabricated by using magnetron sputtering Au nanoparticles on the surface of Ag-IPMC.Furthermore, SEM, EDS, AFM and XRD were utilized to reveal the morphology and structure of IPMC electrodes. Four probes method and tensile test were used to investigate the electrical and mechanical properties of different species of IPMCs.The deformation, blocking force and operating life of the IPMCs stimulated were also measured under both DC and AC potential. The influential factors, such as the thickness of IPMC electrode, the ability of keeping wet in air, the cation in membrane and the electric field, were investigated.The results which have been obtained in this paper make an approach to turning the use of IPMCs into reality.