Multi-Field Responsive IPMCs

XRD and SEM measurements were done in order to probe the types of the layers of the Ni particles in the Nafion. Fig. 3.1 shows the XRD results of the Nafion film and the Ni-doped film. Previous work (see [Paquette 

To study the actuation properties of Ni-doped MFR IPMCs, first the current and displacement in response to an applied voltage were measured in range from —3V to 3V. Due to the oxidation of Ni, the charging process starts at 0.8 V and electric breakdown takes place at 1.8 V. However, after the first cycle of operation, the cmrent density and the displacement remained rather imchanged (see Fig. 3.5). The actuation performance is shown in Fig. 3.6. The displacement of Ni-doped MFR IPMCs was mea-smed when a square pulse was applied using chrono-potentiometry with 2 s pulse dmation and controlled current. The results indicate that the actua- 

Overall, within a proper operational range of 0.7 V the Ni-doped MFR IPMCs showed good paramagnetic characteristics and excellent electric responsive properties. This makes the developed MFR IPMCs attractive not only for actuator applications but also potentially for active damping applications. It is yet to be researched how the ionic liquids as potential electrolytes can improve the material to extend the operational voltage range. 

2 IPMCs Loaded with Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes (M-CNT) 

10 Time response of blocking force of the M-CNT/IPMC nanocomposite actu-tators. Reprinted from [Lee et al. (2007a)] with permission from Elsevier, Copyright 2007. 

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