Characterization and Dynamics of Polymer Microactuators

A magnetic hybrid material consisting of iron oxide nanoparticles (4 nm) embedded in a polymer matrix of Na-CMC was synthesized. The synthesis was done from a chemical treatment on a precursor hybrid material previously synthesized. The structure, morphology, and magnetic properties for this magnetic hybrid material were studied by X-ray diffraction, IR spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and magnetometry. Additionally, the dynamic response was analyzed in order to probe the feasibility to use this magnetic hybrid material as a bending-type actuator. The experimental results show that the responses of the deflection have a linear trend over a reasonable range, suggesting that the magnetic hybrid material can be used as bending-type actuators in small mechanical systems and devices. First simulations have also been done considering the two components of the magnetic hybrid material: the oxide iron nanoparticles and Na-CMC. The displacement response takes in account the viscoelastic properties of the polymeric matrix and the magnetization of the nanoparticles.