Covalently bonded functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes and cellulose for electroactive paper actuator

Abstract

A cellulose solution was prepared by dissolving cotton pulp in LiCl/DMAc solution. Functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) were reacted with N, N-Carbonyldiimidazoles to obtain MWNTs-imidazolides. By acylation of cellulose with MWNTs-imidazolides, MWNTs were covalently bonded with cellulose. Using the product, MWNTs- Cellulose (M/C) composite were fabricated and its characteristics were investigated by FT-IR and Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and Young's modulus. The presence of covalent bonds remarkably enhanced mechanical property of M/C composite, which improved its actuator performance. The actuator performance of M/C EAPap is investigated in terms of bending displacement and resonance frequency depending on humidity level.