Estimation of ion dimension doped in conducting polymers electrochemically

Abstract

Electroactive conducting polymers are suitable for soft actuators (artificial muscles). The actuation is induced by electrochemical oxidation of conducting polymer (film) in an electrolyte solution, due to insertion of bulky counter ions (dopant ions). The magnitude of deformation (strain) depends on the size of dopant ions and the degree of oxidation. It is worthwhile to know the relationship between the magnitudes of deformation and ion size. An electrodeposited Polypyrrole film was electrochemically cycled in aqueous electrolytes of NaCl, NaBr, NaNO₃, NaBF₄ and NaClO₄. The strain of film during electrochemical oxidation and reduction was precisely measured using a laser displacement meter and a handmade apparatus. From the strain and electrical charges inserted in the film during oxidation, the volumes and radii of dopant ions were estimated, assuming the isotropic expansion of the film. The estimated anion radii ofCl^-, Br^-, NO₃ ^-, BF₄ ^- and ClO₄ ^- were 235, 246, 250, 270 and 290, respectively. The results were discussed taking the crystallographic and hydrated ion radii in literatures into consideration.