Enhancing the Performance of Dielectric Elastomer Actuators Through Chemical Modifications

Macromolecular Chemistry and Physics, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Feb. 11, 2025

Abstract Current research on enhancing the performance of dielectric elastomer actuators (DEAs) primarily focuses improving properties elastomers (DEs), including increasing constant, reducing elastic modulus, and minimizing losses. The commonly used composite filler method struggles to address trade‐off between high constant low modulus in DEs. In contrast, modifying chemical structure by introducing polar groups into DE polymer backbone can effectively increase Meanwhile, optimizing degree crosslinking molecular weight reduce Currently, there remains a lack systematic summarization regarding modification methods This paper summarizes actuation principles DEs introduces simple electromechanical modeling methods. It enhance through hydrosilylation, thiol‐ene click reactions, azide‐alkyne as well weight. Additionally, this study explores current applications DEAs fields artificial muscles soft robotics.

Language: Английский

Enhancing Dielectric Elastomer Driven Deformation Through Multifunctional Chemical Crosslinkers

Journal of Applied Polymer Science, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Feb. 17, 2025

ABSTRACT With the rapid development of flexible wearable devices and transducers, plenty studies have been conducted in recent years on dielectric elastomers (DEs) for various applications due to their significant deformation ability, high energy conversion efficiency, lightweight. However, DEs usually need pre‐stretching enhance electric breakdown strengths produce large deformation, increasing complexity driving structures limiting applications. In this work, electromechanical properties chemically crosslinked by crosslinking agents with different functionalities are investigated. The Young's modulus can be increased as content trifunctional agent increases, leading a remarkable enhancement electrical strength subsequent deformation. Specifically, PT4.5 achieves maximum 34.2% at 46 kV mm −1 without pre‐stretching, 75% compared PT0, which is only bifunctional agent. Consequently, density reaches 0.034 MJ m −3 , 4.2 times higher than mammalian skeletal muscle (0.008 ). These findings propose practical simple strategy improving electrically driven pre‐stretching.

Language: Английский

A dielectric elastomer actuator with a large actuated strain enabled by CaCu₃Ti₄O₁₂/MXene/silicone dielectric composite

Polymer Composites, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 45(18), P. 17257 - 17267

Published: Aug. 21, 2024

Abstract Dielectric elastomer actuators (DEAs) have garnered widespread attention due to their unique blend of attributes, including high energy density, exceptional efficiency, inherent softness, silent operation, and muscle‐like performance, all which are highly desirable for soft robotics applications. However, despite these benefits, the practical application DEAs is hindered by low dielectric constant relatively small actuated deformation. In this work, we significantly enhanced strain integrating a composite material consisting CaCu 3 Ti 4 O 12 /MXene/silicone elastomers. We combined conductive MXene nanosheets (MX) synthesized via solution etching technique with (CCTO) particles. The KH550 utilized as coupling agent modification mixed CCTO‐MX CCTO‐MXK/PDMS film, well‐dispersed 2.5 wt% filling fraction, exhibits remarkable 7.91 at 100 Hz, coupled an outstanding performance 9.36% 13.3 V μm −1 . These results instrumental in furthering fabrication substantial strain, paving way advancements field. Highlights films, comprising modified particles along agent, were successfully prepared. sensitivity film studied. mechanism enhancement was analyzed from macroscopic microscopic levels.

Language: Английский