Preparation and characterization of a conductive polymer/electroactive paper actuator

In this paper, conducting polymer and ionic liquid cellulose electroactive paper composites (CPILEAPap is prepared and characterized. The CPIL_EAPap was prepared by dispersing ionic liquid in regenerated cellulose solution. The film obtained from the solution is then coated with polypyrrole electrodes. Electromechanical performance was assessed by measuring the bending displacement of the composite film. The bending displacement of the actuator was compared at different humidity conditions. In addition, morphological and structural studies were undertaken using FTIR and SEM analysis. Preliminary results show good displacement of the bender actuator which decreases with increasing % relative humidity. Additional work is being undertaken to further quantify and characterize the structural features that are important for actuation and humidification.