Mechanical and actuation behavior of electroactive nanostructured polymers

Electroactive polymers (EAPs) can exhibit relatively large actuation strain responses upon electrical stimulation. For this reason, in conjunction with their light weight, robust properties, low cost and facile processability, EAPs are of considerable interest in the development of next-generation organic actuators. Within this class of materials, dielectric electroactive polymers (D-EAPs) have repeatedly exhibited the most promising and versatile properties. A new family of D-EAPs derived from swollen poly[styrene-b-(ethylene-co-butylene)-b-styrene] triblock copolymers has been recently found to undergo ultrahigh displacement at relatively low electric fields compared to previously reported D-EAPs. The present work examines the mechanical and actuation response of these electroactive nanostructured polymer (ENP) systems under quasi-static, and electromechanical loading conditions. Careful measurement of the quasi-static properties under tensile and compressive loading yield similar results that are significantly influenced by the introduction of in-plane strain, as well as by copolymer concentration or molecular weight. Blocking stress measurements reveal that the actuation effectiveness achieved by some of the ENPs is comparable to that of the VHB 4910 acrylic D-EAP, thus providing a novel and efficient avenue to designer D-EAPs for advanced engineering, biomimetic and biomedical applications.