Properties of Polymer/CNT Nanocomposites for Dielectric Elastomer Actuator

Abstract

The polymer blend nanocomposites of polyurethane(PU)/poly(vinylidene fluoride)(PVDF) including carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were employed for application of dielectric elastomer actuators. The CNTs were functionalized with high dielectric 3,4,5-trifluoroaniline to enhance the dielectric properties as well as mechanical properties of nanocomposites. The polymer blend nanocomposites showed remarkably enhanced breaking-at-elongation with an addition of small content of polyurethane. The functional groups  functionalized on MWNTs played an important role in improving the dielectric properties as well as dispersion of MWNTs in the polymer matrix. The polymer blend nanocomposites may be expected as possible dielectric elastomer materials for actuators.