Isopropanol Modified Hydrocarbon-Based Polymer: Toward an Environmentally Friendly Large-Deformation Soft Actuator

Ionic polymer-metal composites (IPMCs) with deformability are proposed as promising candidates for artificial muscles. However, the deficiencies of their most commonly used perfluoro polymer (Nafion) substrate cause non-negligible restrictions on its development. In this study, a novel environmentally friendly hydrocarbon-based IPMC is fabricated as an alternative to Nafion-based IPMC and successfully exhibits superior electrochemical characteristics (strip resistance reduced by 46% and capacitance increased 13-fold) and deformation performance (tip displacement of 41 mm at 3 V). Given its merits of fluorine-free, low cost (1/20 of Nafion), and no significant back relaxation, the hydrocarbon-based polymer is anticipated to be a possible solution to overcome the inherent drawbacks of perfluorinated substrates. Additionally, a series of multiform ultralow voltage (≤2.5 V) biomimetic flexible grippers are first designed using hydrocarbon-based IPMCs and show potential functionalities for capturing, orientating, and ejecting in fields such as biomimetic robotics, narrow-space engineering tasks, and design of miniature gripping devices.