Electrochemical properties of a highly biocompatible chitosan polymer actuator based on a different nanocarbon/ionic liquid electrode

Ionic actuators have attracted attention due to their remarking large strain under low‐voltage stimulation. Because the actuation performance is mainly dominated by the electrochemical and electromechanical processes of the electrode layer, the electrode materials and structure are crucial. In this manuscript, we report a highly biocompatible polymer actuator, which consists of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MCNTs) film as double electrode layer and an electrolyte layer equipped with a chitosan polymer skeleton and an ionic liquid. The electrochemical properties of chitosan polymer actuator under various content of MCNTs were presented by SEM, cyclic voltammetry, and alternate current impedance. Results represented that MCNTs as a reinforcing agent in the chitosan polymer actuator strongly affected the electromechanical energy efficiency. POLYM. COMPOS., 38:2395–2401, 2017. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers