Experimental Optimization of Electrode Composition for Ionic Polymer Transducers in Sensing

Ionic Polymer Transducers (IPTs), also known as Ionic Polymer Metal Composites (IPMCs), are a promising group of intelligent materials which exhibit electromechanical coupling behavior in both actuation and sensing. They are composed of an electroactive ionomer, inserted between metallic electrodes. In this study, IPTs are experimentally examined as a sensor in the aspect of electrode composition optimization. Sensors with electrodes having several volumetric percentages of metallic powder, ruthenium dioxide -RuO₂-, are tested in bending under different step displacement inputs to explore the output current response. Optimum metallic powder content in the electrode solution for a sensor generating maximum current output is determined. Furthermore, the magnitude of the tip deflection’s effect on sensitivity is examined. The IPTs used in the experiments are fabricated via Direct Assembly Process which enables direct control over the electrode architecture.