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Electromechanically Active Polymers pp 471–486Cite as

Electrochemically and Electrothermally Driven Carbon-Based Materials as EAPs: How to Start Experimenting with Them

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

Abstract

Carbon is a distinctive electrode material for actuators, as it is available in a wide variety of forms, ranging from monoliths to powders, fibers, and yarns. The diversity in the properties of different carbonaceous materials is also expressed in a variety of actuation mechanisms. This chapter considers two classes of actuators – electrochemically and electrothermally driven actuators – which both make use of carbonaceous materials as active elements. In both of the listed types of actuators, carbon is especially advantageous because of its chemical and thermal inertness and also because of its high intrinsic electrical conductivity. The working principles of different actuators, having carbonaceous electrodes, are drastically different and so are the optimization criteria for selecting a particular type of carbon for a particular type of actuator. This chapter is to explain some important practical considerations for successful experimentation with the carbon-based actuators. Special attention is bestowed on the choice of materials and the choice of appropriate electrical driving signal. The effects caused by the ambient environment are discussed. Finally, a selection of commonly used characterization methods is suggested.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. IMS lab, Institute of Technology, University of Tartu, Nooruse 1, Tartu, 50411, Estonia

    Indrek Must & Alvo Aabloo

  2. ARC Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science, Intelligent Polymer Research Institute, University of Wollongong, North Wollongong, NSW, 2519, Australia

    Geoffrey M. Spinks

Authors
  1. Indrek Must
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  2. Geoffrey M. Spinks
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  3. Alvo Aabloo
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Correspondence to Indrek Must .

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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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Must, I., Spinks, G.M., Aabloo, A. (2016). Electrochemically and Electrothermally Driven Carbon-Based Materials as EAPs: How to Start Experimenting with Them. 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_20

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