Electromechanical performance and other characteristics of IPMCs fabricated with various commercially available ion exchange membranes

Ionic polymer–metal composites (IPMCs) are considered as some of the favorable candidates to be used as biomimetic actuators and sensors in an aqueous environment. Amongst all components that compose an IPMC, the ion exchange membrane is where hydrated cations migrate when an electric field is applied across the membrane and it eventually produces the deformation of the IPMC. Nafion ® is the most commonly used ion exchange membrane. Many studies have been conducted on IPMCs made with Nafion ® . In this study, three other commercially available ion exchange membranes were used to fabricate IPMCs and their performance as actuators was compared with IPMCs made with Nafion ® membrane. Their potential for use in IPMC actuators was investigated by conducting various characterizations such as water uptake, ion exchange capacity, morphology, thermal property, blocking force and bending displacement.