Computational Micromechanics Analysis of Ionic Polymers With Cluster Morphology Available to Purchase

In recent years there has been considerable study of the potential mechanisms underlying the electro-mechanical response of ionic-polymer-metal composites (IPMCs). Most of these efforts have employed assumptions of uniform and balanced ion distribution within spherical cluster shapes, in the ionic polymer layer of the IPMC. Inspired by the results of a preliminary computational study, the present work investigates the impact of dispensing with these assumptions. A computational micromechanics model has been developed to study ion response in a single cluster of these ionomeric transducers. Assuming a constant solvated state, the model tracks the position of individual ions within a given cluster in response to ion-ion interaction, mechanical stiffness of the pendant chain, cluster surface response force, and external electric field loading. Results suggest that the classic assumptions will tend to under-predict electromechanical response and that charge imbalance has significant impact of cluster behavior.