Amino-functionalized graphene electrodes in ionic polymer actuators

As an alternative to metal electrodes in IPMC actuators, micromechanical transducers based on ion-exchange membrane Nafion with electrodes made of amino-functionalized reduced graphene oxide (ARGO) were introduced. The ARGO suspension was obtained by amination and subsequent graphene oxidation. The coating of ARGO electrodes on both sides of the Nafion 117 membrane was produced by the vacuum filtration method. The investigation of obtained transducers with ARGO electrodes, as micromechanical sensors and actuators, showed higher efficiency and durability, than in the case of RGO electrodes, due to better adhesion of electrodes to the membrane.