Ionic polymer-metal composite (IPMC) is composed of an ion exchange membrane (IEM) sandwiched between two metal electrodes. When an IPMC is deformed, it produces output voltage between the two electrodes due to the movement of solvent molecules and cations on the compressed side toward the stretched side.We prepared an IPMC bending sensor employing Aquivion, of which the structure shown below, as the IEM, and compared with the sensor employing Nafion, a more popular IEM. The higher concentration of ionic groups of Aquivion was thought to be advantageous for generating higher sensor signal. Ion exchange capacity of Aquivion (1.12 meq/g) was significantly higher than that of Nafion (0.89 meq/g). It was clearly ascribed to the increased number of ionic groups in the membrane. Ion conductivity of Aquivion (0.06 S/cm) was slightly higher or similar as compared with that of Nafion (0.05 S/cm). Water uptake was comparable for Aquivion (25 wt%) and Nafion (22 wt%). As expected, signal output of the Aquivion sensor (2.9 mV) was larger than that of Nafion sensor (1.5 mV). The relation between signal and bending displacement was also investigated, and the results will be presented.

Ionic polymer-metal composite sensors employing Aquivion

247th National Meeting (2014)

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