Synthesis, Mechanism, and Application of An Electro-Driven Chemomechanical System Using Polymer Gels

Abstract

When a water-swollen polyelectrolyte gel is interposed between a pair of electrodes and dc is applied, the gel undergoes electrochem-omechanical contraction and concomitant water exudation. Micro-particles of crosslinked poly(acrylic acid) also undergoes reversible shrinkage by the electric field. The contraction was associated with the electrohydrodynamic transport of hydrated ions, and an equation expressing the rate of size change was derived as a function of voltage, charge density, and degree of swelling. Applications of this phenomenon to drug delivery systems, artificial muscles lifting and lowering a load, and some gel actuators walking in water are introduced.