Fabrication of Electro-active Polymer Actuator Based on Transparent Graphene Electrode

The ionic polymer-metal composite (IPMC), a type of electro-active polymer material, has received enormous interest in various fields such as robotics, medical sensors, artificial muscles because it has many advantages of flexibility, light weight, high displacement, and low voltage activation, compare to traditional mechanical actuators. Mostly noble metal materials such as gold or platinum were used to form the electrode of an IPMC by using electroless plating process. Furthermore, carbon-based materials, which are carbon nanotube (CNT) and reduced graphene-CNT composite, were used to alter the electrode of IPMC. To form the electrode of IPMC, we employ the synthesized graphene on copper foil by chemical vapor deposition method and use the transfer process by using a support of PET/silicone film. The properties of graphene were evaluated by Raman spectroscopy, UV/Vis spectroscopy, and 4-point probe. The structure and surface of IPMC were analyzed via field emission scanning electron microscope. The fabricated IPMC performance such as displacement and operating frequency was measured in underwater.