Open AccessElectroactive Artificial Muscles Based on Functionally Antagonistic Core–Shell Polymer Electrolyte Derived from PS‐ b ‐PSS Block Copolymer
Author(s) -
Nguyen Van Hiep,
Kim Jaehwan,
Tabassian Rassoul,
Kotal Moumita,
Jun Kiwoo,
Oh JungHwan,
Son JiMyeong,
Manzoor Muhammad Taha,
Kim Kwang Jin,
Oh IlKwon
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
advanced science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.388
H-Index - 100
ISSN - 2198-3844
DOI - 10.1002/advs.201801196
Subject(s) - electrolyte , materials science , artificial muscle , copolymer , polymer , ionic liquid , electroactive polymers , ionic bonding , nanotechnology , soft robotics , chemical engineering , actuator , polystyrene , electrode , membrane , lithium (medication) , composite material , ion , chemistry , computer science , organic chemistry , engineering , endocrinology , medicine , biochemistry , catalysis , artificial intelligence
Electroactive ionic soft actuators, a type of artificial muscles containing a polymer electrolyte membrane sandwiched between two electrodes, have been intensively investigated owing to their potential applications to bioinspired soft robotics, wearable electronics, and active biomedical devices. However, the design and synthesis of an efficient polymer electrolyte suitable for ion migration have been major challenges in developing high‐performance ionic soft actuators. Herein, a highly bendable ionic soft actuator based on an unprecedented block copolymer is reported, i.e., polystyrene‐ b ‐poly(1‐ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium‐4‐styrenesulfonate) (PS‐ b ‐PSS‐EMIm), with a functionally antagonistic core–shell architecture that is specifically designed as an ionic exchangeable polymer electrolyte. The corresponding actuator shows exceptionally good actuation performance, with a high displacement of 8.22 mm at an ultralow voltage of 0.5 V, a fast rise time of 5 s, and excellent durability over 14 000 cycles. It is envisaged that the development of this high‐performance ionic soft actuator could contribute to the progress toward the realization of the aforementioned applications. Furthermore, the procedure described herein can also be applied for developing novel polymer electrolytes related to solid‐state lithium batteries and fuel cells.