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Polymer Gels as EAPs: Models

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Electromechanically Active Polymers

Part of the book series: Polymers and Polymeric Composites: A Reference Series ((POPOC))

Abstract

Polyelectrolyte gels, often referred as ionic polymer gels are quite attractive intelligent materials. They consist of a solid phase, i.e., a polymer network with fixed charges, and a liquid phase with mobile ions. Typically these gels are immersed in a solution bath. An application of different kinds of stimuli – e.g., chemical (change of salt concentration or pH), thermal, magnetical, or electrical – leads to a new equilibrium between the different forces, such as osmotic pressure forces, electrostatic forces, and (visco-)elastic forces. This occurs in cooperation with absorption or delivery of the solvent resulting in a (local) change of volume.

In the present chapter, an overview over different modeling alternatives for chemically and electrically stimulated polyelectrolyte gels, placed in a solution bath, are given.

First, the statistical theory – a theory in which only the global swelling is of interest – is reviewed. By refining the scale, two different mesoscopic models are presented: first, the chemo-electro-mechanical transport model and second, a continuum model based on porous media. These models are capable of describing the changes of the local variables: concentrations, electric field, and displacement. So, e.g., by the application of an electric field, a bending movement of the polymer gel can be realized which is in excellent correlation with experimental investigations.

Concluding, the statistical theory is an efficient method to easily model the chemical stimulation of polyelectrolyte gels and the two continuum-based formulations are capable of simulating both chemically and electrically induced swelling or bending. So, they are an excellent technique to model hydrogel bending actuators or grippers.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institut für Festkörpermechanik, TU Dresden, George-Bähr-Str. 3c, 01069, Dresden, Germany

    Thomas Wallmersperger & Peter Leichsenring

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  1. Thomas Wallmersperger
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  2. Peter Leichsenring
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Correspondence to Thomas Wallmersperger .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. School Engineering & Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom

    Federico Carpi

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Wallmersperger, T., Leichsenring, P. (2016). Polymer Gels as EAPs: Models. In: Carpi, F. (eds) Electromechanically Active Polymers. Polymers and Polymeric Composites: A Reference Series. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-31530-0_3

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