Electro-active graphene–Nafion actuators Original Research Article

Electro-active actuators based on graphene reinforced Nafion composite electrolytes were developed and their electro-chemo-mechanical properties and actuation performances were investigated. The tensile strength of the graphene–Nafion ionic membrane was significantly improved up to 200% within 1.0 wt.% loading, and Young’s modulus was more than two times with a minute loading of graphene to Nafion electrolyte. The proton conductivity and the water-uptake ratio were greatly improved, while apparent changes in the ion exchange capacity were not observed. Morphological tests, chemical techniques, and scattering techniques were used to study the interaction mechanism between graphene and Nafion, resulting in great improvements of the actuation performances. Present results show that a minute loading of graphene greatly improves the harmonic responses, the blocking force and the energy efficiency in Nafion-based ionic polymer–metal composite actuators.