New polyester dielectric elastomer with large actuated strain at low electric field

A new polyester dielectric elastomer aiming at large actuated strains driven by low electric fields was synthesized from five monomers through melt polycondensation. The polyester dielectric elastomer displays not only high dielectric constant but also low glass transition temperature. The effect of crosslink density on the elastic modulus, dielectric properties, and actuated strain of this elastomer was investigated. The sample with the lowest crosslink density showed high actuated strain (11.9%) at low electric field strength (just 15.6 kV/mm) without any prestrain. Moreover, this elastomer presented good cell compatibility. This research might help to establish a new route for electroactive polymers.

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► A new polyester dielectric elastomer was synthesized.
► This dielectric elastomer exhibited excellent electromechanical properties.
► This dielectric elastomer showed good cell compatibility.