A soft and conductive PDMS-PEG block copolymer as a compliant electrode for dielectric elastomers

Conductive PDMS-PEG block copolymers (Mn = 3 – 5 kg/mol) were chain-extended (Mn = 30 – 45 kg/mol) using hydrosilylation reaction as presented in figure 1. Subsequently, the extended copolymers were added to a conductive nano-filler (multi-walled carbon nanotubes – MWCNTs) in order to enhance conductivity. The combination of soft chainextended PDMS-PEG block copolymers and conductive MWCNTs results in a soft and conductive block copolymer composite which potentially can be used as a compliant and highly stretchable electrode for dielectric elastomers. The addition of MWCNTs into the PDMS-PEG matrix not only increases the conductivity, but also increases mechanical strength by reinforcing the network1. However, incorporating MWCNTs into the PDMS-PEG matrix is challenging due to strong van der Waals forces between the MWCNTs2. In the present study, MWCNTs were dispersed in organic solvent (N-methyl pyrrolidinone) with 1 wt% of surfactant (Triton X-100). The dispersion of MWCNTs in PDMS-PEG systemis shown in figure 2 where MWCNTs (dark areas) are well-distributed in the system indicating an acceptable dispersional though some big clusters appear in the optical microscope image. The conductivity of 4 phr MWCNTs is 10-3 S/cm compared to 10-1 S/cm of a non-stretchable reference conducting silicone elastomer (LR3162 from Wacker). Furthermore, PDMS-PEG block copolymer with 4 phr MWCNTs (Young’s modulus, Y = 0.26 MPa) is softer and more stretchable thanLR3162 (Y = 1.17 MPa).