Polydimethylsiloxane/silica composites incorporating pyrite powders for actuation elements

BACKGROUND: Among polymers, elastomers can achieve very large deformations and deliver relatively high forces when an electric field is applied to them. In addition, a number of active components, such as carbon black, multi‐walled nanotubes or metallic powders, can be used to obtain increased effects. One elastomer used as a host for these active fillers is polydimethylsiloxane. RESULTS: Pyrite powders were physically incorporated in a polymeric matrix consisting of interconnected polydimethylsiloxane/silica networks. The mixtures were processed as films by casting on a Teflon substrate before crosslinking. The films thus formed were investigated from the point of view of their mechanical behaviour and were tested as active elements in an actuation system. CONCLUSION: Electromechanical tests of the polymeric membranes under investigation revealed a very good behaviour for applications in nano‐ and micro‐actuation. Some of the prepared films showed significant displacements at reasonable voltages (i.e. 56 000 nm at 460 V or 1000 nm at 6 V). Sensitivities between 2.608 and 333.33 nm V −1 were obtained in inverse dependence on the Young's modulus values. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry