Preparation and Characterization of Electroactive Anion‐Exchange Acrylic Polymer–Gold Composites

The characteristics and performance of an ionic polymer–metal composite (IPMC), prepared with an anion‐exchange acrylic copolymer, was examined. The acrylic copolymer was synthesized by the radical copolymerization of fluoroalkyl methacrylate and 2‐(dimethyl amino)ethyl methacrylate(AMA). Effects of the AMA repeating unit's content in the copolymer and effects of the anion type present on the actuation of the IPMC were observed. The optimal content of 19.4 wt% AMA in the IPMC copolymer yielded the best actuation. The actuation also improved according to the type of anion present in the composite, in the following order: Br⁻<Cl⁻<F⁻<ClO₄ ⁻.

Keywords:

• ionic polymer–metal composite (IPMC)
• anion‐exchange membrane
• fluoroacrylic copolymer
• actuation
• ion content
• counter anion

Acknowledgment

This study was supported by a grant from the Korea Health 21 R&D Project, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Republic of Korea (02‐PJ3‐PG6‐EV03‐0004).