Ionic polymer-metal composites metallic electrode materials

Shahinpoor, M. and Kim, K. J. (2000). The effect of surface-electrode resistance on the performance of ionic polymer-metal composite (IPMC) artificial muscles, Smart Materials and Structures 9, pp. 543-551. 

Ionic polymer-metal composites (IPMCs), which are eomposed of an ionie polymer (IP) and metal electrodes, are one of the most promising eleetroaetive polymer (EAP) materials for soft actuators and sensors. Known as bending aetuators, IPMCs exhibit soft and extremely large bending motions in the presenee of large ionic currents (Fig. 1). 

A polymer electrolyte with acceptable conductivity, mechanical properties and electrochemical stability has yet to be developed and commercialized on a large scale. The main issues which are still to be resolved for a completely successful operation of these materials are the reactivity of their interface with the lithium metal electrode and the decay of their conductivity at temperatures below 70 °C. Croce et al. found an effective approach for reaching both of these goals by dispersing low particle size ceramic powders in the polymer electrolyte bulk. They claimed that this new nanocomposite polymer electrolytes had a very stable lithium electrode interface and an enhanced ionic conductivity at low temperature. combined with good mechanical properties. Fan et al. has also developed a new type of composite electrolyte by dispersing fumed silica into low to moderate molecular weight PEO. 

---