Tubular linear actuators using conducting polymer, polypyrrole.

Conducting polymers show an electrochemomechanical deformation (ECMD), which is able to be utilized as soft actuators. A tubular linear actuator of polypyrrole film is fabricated and the characteristics are examined. The film was electrochemically prepared on an acryl resin rod in an aqueous electrolyte solution of pyrrole and dodecylbenzensulfonic acid (DBS), followed by removing the rod. The actuations of tubular polypyrrole film due to ECMD in various conditions have been examined to clarify the mechanism. It has been found that the tubular actuator elongates upon reduction with the strain of 7%, which is more than twice of that observed in a rectangular film. The facts indicate that cations play the role of dopants instead of large DBS anion and the tubular structure gives the better performance for large strain.