イオン導電性高分子アクチュエータとは, イオン導電性高分子の両面に電極を接合したものであり, 水溶液中で電極間に電圧を印加すると高分子内部の水和した陽イオンが陰極側へ移動することにより屈曲運動を示す。このアクチュエータは, 軽量で柔軟, 湿潤な環境下で駆動可能, 小型化が可能といった特徴を持つが, 長期使用時の機能の保証について十分に検討されてはいない。そこで, 本研究ではイオン導電性高分子アクチュエータにおける電極金属および高分子電解質膜の疲労特性に着目し, それらの疲労損傷メカニズムを明らかにし, さらに電気的特性との関係を調査することで, 長期使用時のアクチュエータの応答劣化機構を明らかにした。
An ionic polymer-metal composite (IPMC) actuator undergoes a large bending motion when a low electric field is applied across its thickness. IPMC actuators are thus promising for a wide range of applications. However, basic understanding of long-term durability under AC voltage has not been revealed. Therefore, in this project, we aimed to evaluate the deformation properties of IPMC actuator under long-term AC voltage. To evaluate deformation properties, tip displacement and the voltage between both electrodes were measured. Additionally, by the AC impedance measurement, three electric factors that could cause the change of deformation properties were examined. It is concluded that there are three degradation mechanism for the long-term motion of IPMC actuator; ion migration in Nafion membrane, mechanical damage on electrodes, and chemical reaction on electrodes.
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