Polar–nonpolar interconnected elastic networks with increased permittivity and high breakdown fields for dielectric elastomer transducers

Elastic materials with increased permittivity ( ε ′) were obtained in a three-step process starting from a hydroxyl end-functionalized polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) of a high molecular weight ( M w = 139 kDa), trimethylsilyl end-blocked silicones that carry hydrosilane, cyanopropyl and hexyl groups Px...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:RSC advances 2015-01, Vol.5 (72), p.58428-58438
Main Authors: Racles, C., Bele, A., Dascalu, M., Musteata, V. E., Varganici, C. D., Ionita, D., Vlad, S., Cazacu, M., Dünki, S. J., Opris, D. M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Breakdown
Dielectric constant
Hydroxyl groups
Networks
Permittivity
Silicone resins
Strain
Transducers
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Summary:Elastic materials with increased permittivity ( ε ′) were obtained in a three-step process starting from a hydroxyl end-functionalized polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) of a high molecular weight ( M w = 139 kDa), trimethylsilyl end-blocked silicones that carry hydrosilane, cyanopropyl and hexyl groups Px (where x represents the mol% of cyanopropyl groups), and tetraethoxysilane (TEOS). The hydrosilane groups of Px were first hydrolyzed and the formed hydroxyl groups were subsequently reacted with partially hydrolyzed TEOS and further used as high ε ′ components, cross-linkers, and reinforcing agents for the PDMS matrix. A high wt% of the polar component Px was incorporated into the nonpolar PDMS matrix by forming interconnected networks. Thermal (DSC, DMA) and morphological investigations (SEM) show the biphasic morphology of the networks. The dielectric, mechanical, and electromechanical properties of the films were investigated. Materials with good elastic properties, increased ε ′, and a high breakdown field ( E b ) were obtained. The best material has an elastic modulus of 800 kPa at 10% strain, an ε ′ = 4.5, and a maximum actuation strain of 8% at E b = 56 V μm −1 .
ISSN:2046-2069
2046-2069
DOI:10.1039/C5RA06865G