Performance enhancement of PEDOT:poly(4-styrenesulfonate) actuators by using ethylene glycol

Abstract

This paper describes the effect of ethylene glycol on the performance of actuators with poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(4-styrenesulfonate)/vapor-grown carbon fiber/ionic liquid/ethylene glycol (PEDOT:PSS/VGCF/IL/EG) structures. These devices exhibit superior strain performances compared to devices using PEDOT:PSS/VGCF/IL. EG is assumed to assist in the formation of three-dimensional conducting networks between small PEDOT:PSS domains. This is because it helps to remove insulating PSS from the surface of the PEDOT/PSS grains and facilitates the crystallization of PEDOT. Therefore, EG helps to increase the specific capacitance, strain, and maximum generated stress compared to the values obtained using a PEDOT:PSS/VGCF/IL actuator. Therefore, these new, flexible, and robust films may have significant potential for their use as actuator materials in wearable energy conversion devices. A double-layer charging kinetic model was developed to account for the oxidation and reduction reactions of PEDOT:PSS, and this model is similar to that proposed for PEDOT:PSS/VGCF/IL/EG actuators. This model was successfully applied to simulate the frequency-dependent displacement responses of the actuators.