Solid-state Conducting Polymer Actuator based on Electrochemically-deposited Polypyrrole and Solid Polymer Electrolyte

Conducting polymer (CP) actuators undergo a volumetric change as their redox state is changed. The volumetric change is due to the movement of counter ions into the film during the electrical oxidation process. Liquid electrolytes are mostly used for the actuation of CP actuators, but that is an impediment for practical use of CP actuator. To overcome this problem, in this study solid polymer electrolyte (SPE) was introduced into the CP actuator instead of electrolyte solution. A polypyrrole (PPy)/SPE/PPy electroactive tri-layer actuator was prepared by the electrochemical polymerization of pyrrole and the actuation characteristics were studied. An all-solid actuator, consisting of two PPy films and a SPE based on polyurethane (PU), clearly showed a reversible displacement in an atmosphere when a voltage was applied.