The highly stable air-operating ionic polymer metal composite actuator with consecutive channels and its potential application in soft gripper

Abstract In this study, a highly stable air-operating ionic polymer–metal composite (IPMC) actuator with consecutive channels suitable for transportation of the cations and anions of ionic liquids was prepared by introducing and removing copper foam. The electromechanical properties of this novel porous IPMC were investigated. Scanning electron microscopy observation showed that channels and pores ranging in size from ∼100 nm to ∼50 μ m were distributed in the Nafion membrane. The porous IPMC was doped with 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium thiocyanate ionic liquid. A larger capacitance (285.00 mF cm −2 ) was obtained, which can be attributed to the electric double layer generated at the interface between the ionic polymer membrane and platinum electrode under the input voltage. The fast ion migration channels, high conductivity, and large capacitance enabled high strain of 0.051%–0.666%, a relatively large blocking force of 17.63 mN, and excellent actuation durability for more than 180 000 cycles to be achieved. Furthermore, a soft gripper consisting of a bio-inspired micropillar dry adhesive glued on one surface of the porous IPMC assembled with a mobile mechanical arm was fabricated, and the soft gripper successfully grabbed objects with various features.