State-of-the-Art Developments in the Field of Electroactive Polymers
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State-of-the-Art Developments in the Field of Electroactive Polymers Aleksandra Vinogradov1, Ji Su2, Christopher Jenkins1 and Yoseph Bar-Cohen3 Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, U.S.A. 2 NASA Langley Research Center, Hampton, VA U.S.A. 3 Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, U.S.A.
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ABSTRACT The paper presents a review in the field of electroactive polymers. It outlines the main classes of electroactive polymers, their properties and applications. Current efforts to synthesize electroactive polymers with novel or improved characteristics along with the challenges, opportunities and future research directions are discussed. INTRODUCTION In the past decades, rapid advances in synthetic polymer science have led to an explosive growth in the development of polymers with novel characteristics. Electroactive polymers occupy a special place in this field due to their ability to detect changes in loading or environmental conditions, decide rationally on a set of the respective actions, and carry out these actions in a controlled manner. Responses of this type are often compared with biological reactions that, by nature, transform the sensed information into a specific response. The properties of electroactive polymers can be tailored to achieve the desired outcome. Essentially, refinement or modifications in chemistry or processing of electroactive polymers produce new material morphology, yielding novel performance outcomes. In general, the ability of electroactive polymers to perform designated functions is determined by their coupled mechanical, chemical and physical properties. However, the structure-propertyresponse interrelations of electroactive polymers are complex, often lack clear understanding and, consequently, present serious challenges. Yet, applications of electroactive polymer systems tend to expand at accelerated rates. It is clear that continuing progress in this field cannot be sustained without intensified interdisciplinary research efforts. GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF ELECTROACTIVE POLYMERS The group of electroactive polymers (EAP) comprises a wide array of different materials, including piezoelectric, electrostrictive, ionic and conductive polymers, elastomers, polymeric blends, electroactive foams and electrorheological fluids. Each of these material types is characterized by its unique properties and functional abilities [1]. The response of piezoelectric polymers is observed either in the form of an electric charge or voltage produced by applied mechanical forces or, conversely, in the form of mechanical deformation induced by an applied electric field. These piezoelectric effects have been defined, respectively, as “direct” and “converse.” Electrostriction, which is a property of all dielectrics, is similar to piezoelectricity. The distinct characteristic of electrostrictive polymers is that they undergo mechanical
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