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Soft Gel Filler Embedded Elastomer with Surfactant Improved Interface for Dielectric Elastomer Actuators
Haiyuan Yuan1,2, Zupeng Liu1, Jundong Song3
1School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519082, People's Republic of China.
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
|May 13, 2024
Summary
Researchers improved artificial muscle performance by modifying soft fillers in dielectric actuators (DEAs). Surfactant treatment enhanced composite breakdown strength and reduced stiffening, leading to better stretchability and a functional micropump.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Science
- Actuator Technology
Background:
- Dielectric actuators (DEAs) for artificial muscle rely on stretchable materials.
- Poor dielectric properties of these materials limit DEA performance.
- Soft fillers offer a solution to improve dielectric properties while maintaining stretchability, avoiding stiffening from rigid fillers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of size effect, interfacial binding, and compatibility on soft filler-doped composites.
- To explore interfacial modification using surfactants to enhance composite properties.
- To advance the performance of dielectric elastomer artificial muscles.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of soft filler-doped elastomer composites.
- Interfacial modification of soft fillers using surfactants.
- Characterization of dielectric and mechanical properties (breakdown strength, area strain).
- Assembly and testing of a soft micropump.
Main Results:
- Composite breakdown strength increased 2.2-fold compared to the control group.
- Surfactant treatment reduced filler-matrix mismatch and alleviated stiffening effects.
- Achieved area strain of 10.3 ± 0.4% at 7 MV/m electric field.
- Successfully assembled a functional soft micropump.
Conclusions:
- Interfacial properties significantly influence the performance of soft filler-doped composites.
- Surfactant-mediated interfacial modification is an effective strategy to enhance dielectric elastomer properties.
- This work promotes advancements in dielectric elastomer artificial muscles through improved material design.
