An electro-active paper actuator made with lithium chloride/cellulose films: effects of glycerol content and film thickness

Abstract

Cellulose-based electro-active paper (EAPap) has been reported as a smart material that has merits in terms of light weight, dry condition, biodegradability, large displacement output and low actuation voltage. However, it requires high humidity. This paper introduces an EAPap that can be actuated in low humidity conditions. The fabrication process and performance test of the EAPap actuator are illustrated. Cellulose fibers were dissolved in N,N-dimethylacetamide/lithium chloride. The solution was cast and immersed in water to form the cellulose film, followed by adding glycerol and lithium chloride aqueous solution, and drying in air. Depositing thin gold electrodes on both sides of the cellulose film made a bending EAPap actuator. Effects and optimum values of the glycerol content and the thickness of the films are discussed.