Investigation of IP2C Actuators with PEDOT Electrodes in Aqueous Medium

Actuators based on ionic polymer-polymer composites (IP
²
C) are the result of the evolutionary development of actuators based on ionic polymer-metal composites (IPMC). IP
²
C actuators with PEDOT electrodes were obtained by in situ polymerization of EDOT on the MF-4SK membrane surface. The displacement amplitude measurements of IP
²
C actuators impregnated with H
2
O and 0.1 M CuSO
4
solution were carried out in air and in aqueous medium. During the operation of IP
²
C actuators in liquids the displacement amplitude turned out to be higher than in air and with an increase in the ionic strength of the solution the displacement amplitude decreased. It has been established that IP
²
C actuators impregnated with H
2
O and operating in deionized water are characterized by the highest displacement amplitude.