Hybrid PEDOT/Pt Electrodes for Ionic EAP Actuators

The paper is devoted to the formation of PEDOT electrodes modified by platinum nanoparticles on the surface of the MF-4SK polymer ion-exchange membrane and to the study of the obtained structures as actuators based on ionic electroactive polymers. The presence of platinum nanoparticles dispersed on PEDOT electrodes improves the barrier effect, reducing the loss of electrolyte through the electrode surface, which leads to an increase in the continuous operation time of such actuators. Actuators with hybrid PEDOT/Pt electrodes are characterized by a significantly higher blocking force compared to both actuators with PEDOT electrodes and actuators with Pt electrodes. The resulting hybrid ionic composites are capable of electromechanical transduction, therefore, they are suitable for use as propulsors for robotic systems and as drives in microfluidic pumps for drug administration.