Polyaniline-modified montmorillonite nanocomposite as an actuator

Abstract

Polymer actuators have received much attention due to their vast potential applications. In this work the preparation of polyaniline nanocomposite actuator is studied. The main objective is to overcome the disadvantages of pristine polyaniline in thermal, mechanical and electroactive properties. Montmorillonite is the best candidate for this purpose. Various polyaniline/modrfied montmorillonite nanocomposite films were prepared using solution method. The properties of nanocomposites are characterized by X-ray diffractometry, transmission electron microscopy, thermal gravimetric analysis, dynamic mechanical analysis, conductivity measurement and cyclic voltammeter. The effects of actuator length and applied scan rate as well as the response of applied potential in actuating applications were investigated. The results show that the structure of nanocomposite is exfoliated. Adding organoclay to polyaniline matrix regardless of decreasing its conductivity; increases the stiffness of the actuator resulting in lower bending level in a linear manner. It reduces the required time to reach the maximum bending, also recovery bending time, i.e. actuator response. Increasing the applied scan rate decreases the actuator bending. Also increasing the length of actuator increases the amount of nanocomposite actuator bending in a linear manner.