Carbon Nanotube-based Actuators using solid and liquid Electrolytes: Investigations on their driving mechanisms and differences

Kurzfassung

Carbon Nanotube (CNT) based actuators need electrolytes to show their significant deflection. Experiments are carried out using so called Bucky-Papers (BPs) as CNT based structure and monomolar NaCl-solution as liquid electrolyte. In an in-plain measuring facility BPs made of differ-ent CNT-types from different suppliers and by different methods are tested and compared. On the other hand the solid electrolyte Nafion is tested which forms a structure-integratable actuator to-gether with the BP. Because of its asymmetrically built-up it is analysed in an out-of-plain measur-ing facility. To understand the actuation-mechanism and the effect of the single components like Nafion there are more detailed investigations made.