Mechanochemical transduction and hygroelectricity in periodically stretched rubber

This work reports the rubber electrostatic potential due to repeated strain as a function of time for periods as long as the lifetime of the sample. Rubber potential depends on two main contributions: hygroelectricity added to the mechanochemical reactions evidenced by spectroscopy and microscopy/mi...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Polymer (Guilford) 2019-05, Vol.171, p.173-179
Main Authors: Santos, Leandra P., da Silva, Douglas S., Batista, Bruno C., Moreira, Kelly S., Burgo, Thiago A.L., Galembeck, Fernando
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Charging
Dielectric elastomer
Elastomers
Electric contacts
Electric potential
Electrostatic properties
Energy harvesting
Mechanochemistry
Microscopy
Reaction products
Real time
Robotics
Rubber
Spectroscopy
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:This work reports the rubber electrostatic potential due to repeated strain as a function of time for periods as long as the lifetime of the sample. Rubber potential depends on two main contributions: hygroelectricity added to the mechanochemical reactions evidenced by spectroscopy and microscopy/microanalytical experiments. Hygroelectricity produces fast periodic charging in phase with rubber strain, while a slower charging process is assigned to the mechanochemical reaction products, in conjunction with residual hygroelectricity. This result explains the significant negative potential displayed by rubber over long periods in the absence of any external applied voltage. These findings may contribute to improving dielectric elastomer performance in many applications that are currently of great interest in robotics and energy harvesting. Additionally, electric potential real-time measurements show desirable features as a tool for real-time, non-contact detection of rubber structural change and fatigue. [Display omitted] •Periodically stretched rubber harvests electric charge from the atmosphere.•Hygroelectricity events and mechanochemical reactions add charge to rubber.•Rubber-based energy scavengers can be built around elastomers used in everyday life.•Rubber makes nonstop mechanical energy transduction, throughout its lifetime.•Potential measurements may provide real time monitoring of rubber fatigue and wear.
ISSN:0032-3861
1873-2291
DOI:10.1016/j.polymer.2019.03.028