Polyacrylonitrile as an actuator material: Properties, characterizations and applications

Activated polyacrylonitrile (PAN) fibers have desirable shrinking/swelling characteristics when subjected to a difference in pH. As a linear actuator, PAN has many advantages such as high force to weight ratio, silent operation and muscular behavior motion, etc. There is little information available about mechanical and actuation properties of PAN gel fiber. In this thesis, research is focused on understanding the shrinking/swelling phenomena of PAN gels, describing mechanical properties of PAN gel fibers and environmental effects on actuation. Experimental results are provided for explaining the above mentioned properties. An electrochemically driven actuation system is also investigated as an alternative method of activation. Although many factors affect characteristics of PAN gel fiber, research has been focused on decisive parameters for actuation such as mechanical properties, volume change ratio, force generation, and chemical reactions for a chemical driven system, as well as electrode type and material for an electrochemical driven system. Potential applications utilizing PAN gel fibers are also discussed.