Fabrication, Theoretical Model And Analysis Of Ionic Polymer-metal Composites

Ionic Polymer-metal Composite is a new type of electrically driven material, it consist of a perfluorinated ionomer membrane (usually Nafion) plated on both faces with a noble metal such as platinum. Compared with other actuators, IPMC can generate more than 90°bending deformation in a low voltage (1～3V), IPMC also has other advantage such as lightweight, easy to control, flexibility. Therefore it has great potential. In this paper, we carried out the theoretical modeling and fabrication of IPMC on an extensive survey. Details as follows:We established force balance equation of hydrated cation according to the electric actuator properties of IPMC.Through the concentration of hydrated cation distribution and diffusion of water molecules, the concentration of water molecules as well as the water content distribution were calculated. The relationship between water content and strain can be determined by experiment; we also can determine the IPMC strain distribution along the thickness. The method is suitable for different shapes of actuators. For example, through the strain distribution we can calculate the actuators moments and the corresponding output displacement of IPMC in cantilever mode. The results by numerical simulation agreed well with the date acquired by the experimental; it proved that the method is effectively suitable.Because blocking force of IPMC is small and working hours is short in a nonaqueous environment, in this paper we studied the fabrication and tested of new IPMC. The Nafion polymer casting process, using a commercial Nafion solution cast Nafion thick polymer films and adding TEOS in the commercial Nafion cast solution, chemically to improve the water uptake of Nafion membrane were studied. Compared with commercial membranes the elastic modulus and water content of self-made were improved. Chemical plating method plated on both faces of IPMC with a noble metal such as platinum to test the elastic modulus, electrode resistance and friction coefficient of Pt electrode. In this paper, we redesigned the IPMC performance test platform. By this system, the blocking force, bending displacement and current of commercial membrane IPMC, self-made IPMC and IPMC with TEOS chemical improved were tested.The results provided a reference for fabrication and improvement of IPMC.This paper established the equivalent model of IPMC according to the physical characteristics of IPMC. The displacement of different geometry and surface structure IPMCs has been studied.