Ionic Polymer-Metal Composite Electro-Active Nano-Biopolymer Actuator

Abstract

This research article introduces an electroactive actuator based on sulfonated chitosan (ScS), ionic liquid and graphene oxide (Go). To maintain the biocompatibility of the chitosan and to increase the actuation performance, a biocompatible ionic liquid such as ethyl, methylimidazolium-trifluoro methane sulfonated (Emi-Tfms) as mobile solvent was used for dry-type actuation. And Go-reinforced ScS films obtained through a simple solvent casting method which were extensively investigated because of better electro-chemo-mechanical properties and higher actuation performances. FE-SEM, XRD, FT-IR, and Raman spectra were used to investigate the interaction mechanism between Go and ScS. The harmonic and step responses of Go and ScS composite actuator shows large bending deformations under low electric voltages.