Manufacturing IPMC Materials

The most common fabrication method for IPMCs is electroless plating. The deposits cover lEM on both sides, acting as electrodes with a thick- 

Recently, not only precious metal composites Pt/Ag [Shahinpoor and Kim (2000)] or Pt/Au [Nemat-Nasser (2002)] but also precious/non-precious Pt/Cu metal composites have been used to improve the material s electrical conductivity while reducing the manufacturing cost [Bennett and Leo (2003)]. 

The fabrication of an IPMC is separated into two preparation processes the initial compositing process (ICP) and the surface electroding process (SEP). Shahinpoor and Kim have reported that the different microstructures occur in the two processes a roughened electrode surface forms during the ICP, and the well deposited Pt layer grows during SEP [Shahinpoor and Kim (2001b)]. To ensure the quality of IPMCs, both preparation processes must be conducted. 

The cross-sectional scanning of micromorphology of Pt-IPMCs after treatment of ICP is shown in Fig. 2.3 (a) and after SEP in Fig. 2.3 (b). 

There is no dispersion layer present without a dispersant. The well penetrated diffusion layer increases the electrical conductivity of the electrodes which in turn results in improved actuation capability of the IPMCs. 

---

Table 2.1 Chemicals and deposition conditions for manufacturing IPMCs as a function of electroding material.

This chapter provides an overview of the materials used for manufacturing IPMC actuators and sensors. Recently, considerable effort has been put into investigating various electrode materials and ionic polymer membranes to increase the aetuation performance of IPMC and overcome some of the shortcomings to improve their reliability and stability. Various metallic and nonmetallic electrode materials with notable eleetroehemical and electromechanical properties have... 

In this chapter, recent developments in electrode materials and ionic polymer membranes used for manufacturing IPMCs were reviewed. Although noble metals such as platinum and gold are commonly used for electrodes in water-based systems and applications for their excellent electrochemical properties, also various nonmetallic conductive carbon derivatives are considered as promising alternatives for fabricating dry-type IPMC actuators. These carbon derivatives include nanotubes and nanoporous-activated and carbide-derived carbons. While tiieir electric conductivity... 

---