Application of conducting polymers to smart textiles and actuators

초록

Conducting polymers such as polyaniline (PANI) and polypyrrole (PPy) have been synthesized through chemical oxidative polymerization. The improvement of electrical properties through organic doping was confirmed by measurement of electrical conductivity and shifting of polaron absorption band on UV-vis spectra. These conducting polymers were applied to various fields such as conducting textile, polymer composite and electrical actuator. Conducting textile is fabricated through in-situ polymerization of PPy on nylon-spandex. The conducting textile represented increase of electrical conductivity under extension of the composite fabric. To research the effect of ultrasonic treatment before polymerization, PANI/Nomex composite fabric was prepared by in-situ doping polymerization. Ultrasonication could have a positive effect on better diffusion and adsorption of aniline monomer on fabric. The electirical conductivity with different types of dopants was measured and co-dopant system was tried. There have been various researches about blend and composites. To increase mechanical property, PANI was blended with cyano resin. The hydrogen bonding between amine of PANI and ether of cyano resin developed physical interaction and make film formation possible. To increase electrical conductivity and thermal stability, PANI composite based on carbon nanotube was synthesized. PANI nanoparticles could be applied electrical actuator based on Nafion electrolyte membrane and Li ion salt. The actuator could be driven on air condition by sealing with epoxy.