Covalently bonded multi-walled carbon nanotubes-cellulose electro-active paper actuator

Covalently bonded multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) to cellulose were used to fabricate electro-active paper (EAPap) and its mechanical properties as well as actuator performance were investigated. A cellulose solution was prepared by dissolving cotton pulp in LiCl/N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAc) solution. MWNTs were covalently bonded to cellulose by reacting MWNTs-imidazolides with cellulose solution. Using this, MWNTs/cellulose (M/C) EAPap was fabricated with different weight percents of MWNTs. This EAPap was analyzed by Fourier-transform IR, X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and their Young's modulus was measured. The actuator performance of M/C EAPap was evaluated in terms of bending displacement, resonance frequency and electrical power consumption depending on the weight percent of MWNTs and humidity levels. Due to the presence of covalent bonds between MWNTs and cellulose, the Young's modulus of M/C EAPap was remarkably enhanced more than the MWNTs blended EAPap. The enhanced Young's modulus was strongly associated with the crystallinity change of cellulose. The actuator performance of M/C EAPap was improved also. More explanation about the characteristics, actuation principle and actuator performance of M/C EAPap actuator is addressed.