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Polymers

Polymers

The word polymer is derived from the Greek words “poly” which means “many” and “mer” which means “parts”. Polymers are long chains of molecules composed of repeating units of smaller molecules, known as monomers. They either occur naturally, such as DNA and proteins, or can be constructed synthetically, like plastics. They have varied structural characteristics, such as linear chains, branched chains, or complex networks, that contribute to the properties that they exhibit. Additionally,...

Polymers

Polymers

The word polymer is derived from the Greek words “poly” which means “many” and “mer” which means “parts”. Polymers are long chains of molecules composed of repeating units of smaller molecules, known as monomers. They either occur naturally, such as DNA and proteins, or can be constructed synthetically, like plastics. They have varied structural characteristics, such as linear chains, branched chains, or complex networks, that contribute to the properties that they exhibit. Additionally,...

Types of Step-Growth Polymers: Polyesters

Types of Step-Growth Polymers: Polyesters

The introduction of polyesters has brought major development to the textile industry. The wrinkle-free behavior of polyester blends has eliminated the need for starching and ironing clothes.
Polyesters are commonly prepared from terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol; the crude product is known as poly(ethylene terephthalate) or PET. However, polyesters are synthesized industrially by transesterification of dimethyl terephthalate with ethylene glycol at 150 °C. The two reactants and the polymer...

Polymers

Polymers

The word polymer is derived from the Greek words “poly” which means “many” and “mer” which means “parts”. Polymers are long chains of molecules composed of repeating units of smaller molecules, known as monomers. They either occur naturally, such as DNA and proteins, or can be constructed synthetically, like plastics. They have varied structural characteristics, such as linear chains, branched chains, or complex networks, that contribute to the properties that they exhibit. Additionally,...

Classification and Mechanical Properties of Synthetic Polymers

Classification and Mechanical Properties of Synthetic Polymers

Synthetic polymers are classified as elastomers, fibers, or plastics based on their crystallinity. Crystallinity, the degree of long-range order in the solid state, influences the mechanical properties (stretching or contracting) of elastomers. Elastomers are flexible polymers that can expand or contract easily upon the application of an external force. They have numerous crosslinks that pull them back into their original shape when stress is removed. Silicones, for instance, are highly elastic...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 16, 2026

A Simple and Scalable Fabrication Method for Organic Electronic Devices on Textiles

A Simple and Scalable Fabrication Method for Organic Electronic Devices on Textiles

Published on: March 13, 2017

PEDOT/Polypyrrole Core-Sheath Fibers for Use as Conducting Polymer Artificial Muscles.

Mathis Bruns¹, Shayan Mehraeen², Jose G Martinez²

¹Institute of Textile Machinery and High Performance Material Technology (ITM), TUD Dresden University of Technology, 01062 Dresden, Germany.

ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces

|January 17, 2025

Summary

Researchers developed new conducting polymer (CP) actuator fibers by coating polypyrrole (PPy) onto PEDOT/PSS fibers. These PPy-PEDOT/PSS fibers offer superior electromechanical performance and high stability for wearable devices and soft robots.

Keywords:

actuators biomimetic iEAPs smart textiles wearables yarns

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A Simple and Scalable Fabrication Method for Organic Electronic Devices on Textiles

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Published on: January 17, 2018

Fabrication of Carbon-Based Ionic Electromechanically Active Soft Actuators

Fabrication of Carbon-Based Ionic Electromechanically Active Soft Actuators

Published on: April 25, 2020

Area of Science:

Materials Science
Polymer Science
Nanotechnology

Background:

Electropolymerized polypyrrole (PPy) shows promise for ionic-electroactive actuators.
PPy's electromechanical properties exceed those of other conducting polymers (CPs) like PEDOT/PSS and polyaniline.
Freestanding, linear contracting actuator fibers solely from PPy are currently unavailable.

Purpose of the Study:

To develop novel, all-CP-based actuator fibers.
To create core-sheath fibers by electropolymerizing PPy onto existing PEDOT/PSS fibers.
To investigate the impact of PPy sheath thickness on fiber properties.

Main Methods:

Wet-spun PEDOT/PSS fibers were used as cores.
Electropolymerization was employed to deposit PPy onto PEDOT/PSS fibers, with varying durations to control sheath thickness.
Tensile tests, isotonic actuation strain, and isometric actuation force measurements were conducted.

Main Results:

The resulting PEDOT/PPy core-sheath fibers exhibited high tensile stability in both dry and aqueous conditions.
Actuator fibers achieved up to 2.2% linear contractile actuation strain in electrolytes.
The fibers demonstrated remarkable tensile actuation stresses of 1.64 MPa and high long-term cyclic stability.

Conclusions:

The developed PEDOT/PPy core-sheath fibers represent a significant advancement in CP actuator technology.
These fibers are highly suitable for actuation in aqueous media and show potential for textile integration.
The material is particularly promising for applications in actuating wearables and soft robots due to its performance and stability.