Elastomers with tunable dielectric and electromechanical properties

Abstract

Novel electroresponsive silicone elastomers modified with nitrile groups are presented, whose dielectric permittivity (ε′) is tuned from ε′ = 4.3 to ε′ = 17.4. They are prepared in a one-step process starting from a high molecular weight poly(methylvinylsiloxane) to which polar nitrile groups and cross-links are introduced in thin films. Different ratios of butanethiol/3-mercaptoproprionitrile are used to vary the amount of nitrile groups in these elastomers, while 2,2′-(ethylenedioxy)diethanethiol is used as a cross-linker. Because of the systematic nature of this investigation, we not only present promising elastic materials with remarkable dielectric, mechanical, and electromechanical properties but also provide a guideline for materials design aimed at dielectric elastomer actuator applications.