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Sulfonated Copper Phthalocyanine/Sulfonated Polysulfone Composite Membrane for Ionic Polymer Actuators with High
Taehoon Kwon1, Hyeongrae Cho, Jang-Woo Lee2
1Department of Chemistry, Research Institute for Natural Sciences, Institute of Nano Science and Technology, Hanyang University , Wangsimni-ro 222, Seongdong-gu, Seoul 04763, Republic of Korea.
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
|August 8, 2017
Summary
New ionic polymer composite membranes enhance actuator performance. These sulfonated poly(arylene ether sulfone) (SPAES) and copper(II) phthalocyanine tetrasulfonic acid (CuPCSA) membranes offer faster responses and higher power density for advanced applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Ionic polymer composite membranes are crucial for actuators.
- Sulfonated poly(arylene ether sulfone) (SPAES) offers a robust polymer matrix.
- Copper(II) phthalocyanine tetrasulfonic acid (CuPCSA) is a highly sulfonated organic filler.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop novel ionic polymer composite membranes for enhanced actuator performance.
- To investigate the synergistic effects of SPAES and CuPCSA on membrane properties.
- To explore the potential of these composites in high-power-density transducer applications.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of SPAES/CuPCSA composite membranes.
- Characterization of membrane properties including ion conductivity, tensile modulus, strength, and strain.
- Assembly and testing of bending ionic polymer actuators based on the composite membranes.
- Evaluation of actuator response time and mechanical power density.
Main Results:
- SPAES/CuPCSA membranes exhibited excellent dispersibility of CuPCSA.
- Actuators demonstrated significantly improved ion conductivity (102 mS cm⁻¹).
- Enhanced mechanical properties: tensile modulus (208 MPa), strength (101 MPa), and strain (1.21%).
- Actuators showed exceptionally faster response times and a record mechanical power density (3028 W m⁻³).
Conclusions:
- SPAES/CuPCSA composite membranes represent a significant advancement in ionic polymer actuator technology.
- The enhanced properties make these actuators highly suitable for next-generation transducers.
- Potential applications include underwater propulsion and endoscopic surgery devices requiring high power density.
