Enhancement of controllable circular actuator using graphene oxide particles

ABSTRACT

This work aims to study the responsive expansion of graphene oxide- acrylic elastomer (GO-Acry ER elastomer) under applied electric field. The GO was synthesized from graphite (GP) by using Hummer’s method based on various the ratios of GP to oxidizing agent namely potassium permanganate. GO-Acry ER elastomer was prepared by painted GO as the polarized particle on circular Acry ER as elastomer matrix. The optimum condition of synthesized GO was 1:2 ratios of GP: oxidizing agent which provided a more crystallinity, smaller particle size, and higher pore volume. The circular actuation response of GO-Acry ER elastomer was stimulated by applying external stimuli under various electric field strengths and GO characteristics. The expansion of the GO-Acry ER elastomer increased with an increasing external electric field strength. The GO-Acry ER elastomer under adding GO of 1:2 ratios was the largest expansion with 50% strain under applied electric field of 300 kV/mm. When the electric field strength was > 300 kV/mm, the ER elastomer shrank owing to electrical breakdown. Thus, GO is a suitable choice due to its ease of preparation and fast electro-responsive properties.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

KEYWORDS:

• Circular actuator
• electro-responsive polymer
• electrorheological elastomer
• graphene oxide

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the Advanced Material Research Group of Rajamangala University of Technology, Thanyaburi (RMUTT), Thailand. This research was funded by the National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT) (N41D640012).

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The work was supported by the National Research Council of Thailand [N41D640012].

Notes on contributors

Supanit Chungyampin

Supanit Chungyampin, She is a researcher in the advanced materials research group, Department of Material and Metallurgical Engineering, Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi, Thailand

Nophawan Paradee

Nophawan Paradee, She is a assistant professor at Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi, Thailand

Sumonman Niamlang

Sumonman Niamlang, She is a associate professor at Department of Material and Metallurgical Engineering, Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi, Thailand