Giant strain response in ionic nanoporous graphene actuator with hierarchical structures

The fabrication and strain responses of nanoporous graphene actuators with hierarchical structures are reported. Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) patterning on a porous substrate and vacuum filtration were used to successfully pattern the hierarchical nanoporous graphene structures. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images depict successful hierarchical structuring with quick ion transport channels in the electrodes of the actuator. Profilometer measurements show uniform graphene thickness throughout the electrodes. The measured strain response shows much improvement over nanoporous graphene actuators reported earlier which do not have fast transport ion channels. The high strain response is a direct result of improved ion transport through the hierarchical nanoporous graphene channels.