Study On Performance Of Different Water Content Of Silver-based IPMC

IPMC (Ionic Polymer Metal Composite) is typically formed by plating the surface of a perflouronated backbone ionomer with a conductive electrode. It is an important kind of EAP(Electro Active Polymers) which has received widespread attention in recent years. Deep research into IPMC has found that changing the internal material's moisture content has a great impact on the electric actuating performance and mechanical properties. In this paper,silver-based IPMC, which has a larger deformation magnitude, was taken as the object of study to analyze and simulate characteristics under different moisture content conditions.Firstly, the thesis analyzed the preparation steps of silver-based IPMC and proposed a test method to examine its electrode performance. The IPMC deformation mechanism was then found through the analysis of hydrated ions equations.Secondly, the water loss phemonenon of IPMC was examined under three conditions; in its natural state in air, under electrical stimulation in air and electrical stimulation in water.From experimental analysis the dehydration mechanism was successfully determined.Additionally, the speed, acceleration and angular displacement of IPMC at different moisture levels and voltages were analyzed.Thirdly, the mechanical properties of IPMC samples, with different moisture contents,were tested. Through analogical analysis, the 'Two Parameter Mooney-Rtivilin' equation was proposed to analyze the mechanical property of IPMC; under no electrical stimulation, and the super-elastic coefficients were obtained from calculating experimental data; under different moisture contents conditions. The application scope of the equation was determined by comparing the experimental data and simulated values. In addition the phenomenon, that the clamped end of IPMC has a faster dehydration rate, was explained by calculating the strain condition under constant voltage.Finally, under vaying voltage and moisture content conditions, the bending deformation capacity of IPMC was analyzed through experiments and the analogous piezoelectric coefficient was obtained by method of comparing IPMC with piezoelectric bimorph. By comparing simulation and experimental data the application scope for the use of the IPMC equivalent thermal deformation equation was determined.