Electrode Preparation and Electro-deformation of Ionic Polymer-metal Composite (IPMC)

Ionic polymer-metal composites (IPMC) are a new class of active materials. A new Nafion-based IPMC was prepared by penetration-reduction process and chemical plating process and characterized with its morphology; the sectional element distribution and silver growth mode were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDS), respectively. For Ag-Naflon based IPMC, SEM images revealed that Ag particles is deposited uniformly on the surface of Nafion membrane, the analysis of EDS showed that Ag particles penetrated inside Nafion membrane with gradient distribution throughout the membrane and grew as dendritic structure. IPMC with two times chemical deposition produces a larger electro-deformation when applying 1.25V voltage across the membrane and the maximum electro-deformation angle could reach to 46deg. For Ni-Ag/Nafion based IPMC, SEM images revealed that Ni particles distribution is uniform and compact on the surface of Nafion membrane, while Ni particles were plated on the outwards to form a thicker nickel layer. The IPMC surface resistance with the nickel layer outside is abruptly decreased, while the stiffness and Young modulus of the IPMC increased, it could meet with the stress requirement at the same displacement in its application.