Nanoporous metal based composites: Giving polymers strength and making metals move. (April 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Griffiths, Emma; Wilmers, Jana; Bargmann, Swantje; Reddy, B. Daya
• Is Part Of: Journal of the mechanics and physics of solids. Volume 137(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-04
• Subjects: Nanocomposite -- Multiphysics -- Nanoporous gold -- Conductive polymers; Mechanics, Applied -- Periodicals; Solids -- Periodicals; Mechanics -- Periodicals; Mécanique appliquée -- Périodiques; Solides -- Périodiques; Mechanics, Applied; Solids; Periodicals; 531.05
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jmps.2019.103848
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-5096

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Abstract: One of the outstanding characteristics of electroactive polymers is their large strain response under electrical stimulus, which can be utilized for actuation applications. However, for extensive mechanical use in electro-mechanical systems, they lack the necessary strength and stiffness. To improve polymer actuator strength, the incorporation of a metal reinforcement phase has been proposed: by forming an inter-penetrating metal-polymer composite, a much stronger actuator can be created. This work focuses on nanoporous metals as the metal reinforcement: they have impressive mechanical properties, while simultaneously allowing almost unhindered ion flow due to their characteristic bi-continuous structure. To explore the effects of the metal volume fraction on the ion transport, deformation and stress response of this composite, this work investigates the chemo-electro-mechanical behaviour of a nanoporous metal-polymer composite material using finite element simulations on representative volume elements at various volume fractions.