In this work a model of ion transport in ionic liquid-based ionic polymer-metal composites (IPMC's) is formulated using Nernst-Planck/Poisson (NPP) theory and numerical simulations are performed using the finite element method. IPMC's are smart materials which act as both sensors and actuators, and the use of an ionic liquid has been shown to dramatically increase transducer lifetime in free-air use while also allowing for higher applied voltages without chemical decomposition. We consider both the cation and anion of the ionic liquid to be mobile in addition to the mobile countercation of the transducer. The results show a nonlinear dynamic response which gives insight into transduction mechanisms which are unique to ionic liquid IPMC's as compared to their water-based counterparts.

Date Published: 31 March 2009
PDF: 12 pages
Proc. SPIE 7289, Behavior and Mechanics of Multifunctional Materials and Composites 2009, 72891F (31 March 2009); doi: 10.1117/12.816080

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 7289:
Behavior and Mechanics of Multifunctional Materials and Composites 2009
Zoubeida Ounaies; Jiangyu Li, Editor(s)