Improvements of Mechanical and Electrical Performances of IPMC Actuators Using Carbon Nanotubes

탄소 나노튜브를 이용한 IPMC 작동기의 기계적/전기적 성능 개선

IPMC actuators have been developed with multi-walled carbon nanotubes(MWNT) and $Nafion^{\circledR}$ ionic polymers. MWNT with different diameters of $3{\sim}5,\;4{\sim}6$ and $10{\sim}15$ nm and length of $10{\sim}20{\mu}m$ were used to enhance the mechanical and electrical performances of IPMC actuators. Ultrasonic treatment and high speed mixing were used to disperse MWNT homogeneously in $Nafion^{\circledR}$ solution. The electroless plating technique is used to make electrodes on the both side of the composite membrane. SEM and TEM images were taken to characterize the surface and micro-structures of the composite actuators. In this study, improved IPMC actuators were developed and compared with respect to bending actuation performance and electrical power consumptions.