System Response of Nanotube based Actuators

Abstract

The electromechanical characterization of carbon nanotube (CNT) papers, which are immersed in an aqueous electrolyte, is the main focus of this paper. The experimental set up consists of an ordinary three electrode cell, filled with the liquid electrolyte and using the CNT paper as working electrode. The in plain strain of the paper is measured and its quasi static and dynamic response to various electrical potential excitations has been investigated in a series of experiments. Additionally, the influence of different electrolytes, pre-stresses and types of carbon nanotubes (SWNT vs. MWNT) was studied.