Enabling large actuated strain at low electric field by grafting cyanoester dipoles onto a poly(styrene-b-butadiene-b-styrene) elastomer using thiol-ene click chemistry. (14th April 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Liu, Leipeng; Zhang, Kangning; Li, Qiong; Xie, Ruiying; Lv, Shenghua; Zhu, Yufeng; Zhu, Lei
• Is Part Of: Polymer. Volume 221(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-04-14
• Subjects: Dielectric elastomer -- Electroactuation -- High dielectric constant -- SBS -- Dipoles; Polymers -- Periodicals; Polymerization -- Periodicals; Polymères -- Périodiques; Polymérisation -- Périodiques; 547.7
• DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2021.123590
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0032-3861

Abstract

Abstract: A dielectric elastomer can undergo a large deformation when it is subjected to an applied electric field. As a result, it finds potential usage in artificial muscles, soft robotics, and medical devices. However, current dielectric elastomers suffer from low dielectric constants (e.g., <4.5). Grafting highly dipolar groups onto a dielectric elastomer has been proved to be an efficient method to improve the dielectric constant and thus the electroactuation property. However, grafting a side chain bearing two or more dipolar groups onto the polymer main chain has not been explored in the past. In this work, we grafted cyanoester groups onto a poly (styrene- b -butadiene- b -styrene) (SBS) elastomer to improve its dielectric constant and actuation performance using the thiol-ene click reaction. A series of new dielectric elastomers with different grafting densities were obtained with excellent actuation properties: a dielectric constant up to 11.6 at 10 5 Hz and a large actuation strain of 9% at a low field of 13.9 MV/m. This work provides us a new and effective strategy to improve the performance of dielectric elastomers. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: Modified SBS-CN is synthesized by "Click" reaction. Dipoles cyano and ester groups are grafted onto the per side chain of SBS elastomer. SBS-CN-78.4% has a large actuation strain of 9% at a low field of 13.9 MV/m.