Carbide-derived carbon as active interlayer of polypyrrole tri-layer linear actuator

Abstract Electro-chemo-mechanical deformations (ECMD) of electrochemically prepared tri-layer polypyrrole (PPy) linear actuators with active nanoporous carbide-derived carbon (CDC) based actuating interlayers were studied under isotonic (constant length) and isometric (constant force) conditions and compared with those of single-layer CDC and PPy linear actuators. The goal of this study was to combine two active materials with different electroactive and mechanical properties for obtaining improved tri-layer PPy linear actuators. CDC linear actuators were used as electrode materials for the electrochemical deposition of PPy. SEM images showed the PPy and polymeric CDC layers could be clearly distinguished. The CDC, CDC–PPy and PPy linear actuators were cycled in aqueous electrolyte in the voltage range of ±0.8 V. The CDC–PPy actuators had improved mechanical and electro-chemo-mechanical properties, compared to the free-standing CDC and PPy linear actuators. The Raman spectra did not show any signs of degradation of either CDC or PPy layers during actuation.