Performance and characteristics of functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes/cellulose EAPap actuator

Abstract

Cellulose based Electro-Active Paper (EAPap) is attractive due to advantages in terms of biodegradable, lightweight, dry condition, large displacement output, low actuation voltage and low power consumption. However, its output force and actuating frequency band should be enhanced to realize its potential applications. Thus, MWNTs are mixed with cellulose solution in this paper. To fabricate the cellulose solution, cellulose fibers are dissolved with LiCl/N,N-dimethyl- acetamide (DMAc) by heating at 150°C. Carboxyl groups functionalized MWNTs (F-MWNT) were used to make well-dispersion of MWNTs in cellulose matrix. F-MWNTs are dispersed in cellulose solution by sonication for 2 hours. The suspension is spin-coated and pressurized to fabricate an F-MWNT/cellulose EAPap. The prepared F-MWNT/ cellulose EAPap is tested in terms of bending displacement and output force. The actuating performance is compared with MWNT/cellulose EAPap and EAPap only.