The relationship between strain and applied potential was derived for composite actuators consisting of single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) and conductive polymers (CPs). During deriving the relationship, an electrochemical ionic approach is utilized to formulate the electromechanical actuation of the composite film actuator. This relationship can give us a direct understanding of the actuation of a nanoactuator. The results show that the well-aligned SWNTs composite actuator can give good actuation responses and high actuating forces available. The actuation is found to be affected by both SWNTs and CPs components and the actuation of SWNTs component has two kinds of influences on that of the CPs component: reinforcement at the positive voltage and abatement at the negative voltage. Optimizations of SWNTs-CPs composite actuator may be achieved by using well-aligned nanotubes as well as choosing suitable electrolyte and input voltage range.

Keywords: Composite Actuator, Conducting Polymer, Electro-mechanical Properties, Carbon Nanotube

Keywords: 복합재 엑츄에이터, 전기전도성 폴리머, 전기기계적 성질, 탄소나노튜브