Octakis(phenyl)-T8-silsesquioxane-filled silicone elastomers with enhanced electromechanical capability

The first dielectric elastomer actuators based on electroactive nanocomposites with octakis(phenyl)-T8-silsesquioxane (phenyl-T8), obtained ex-situ, used as voltage stabilizer filler for silicone elastomers are reported. The incorporation and homogeneous dispersion of crystalline phenyl-T8 in percentages of 2.5, 3.5, 5, and 10 into the amorphous matrix consisting in a polydimethylsiloxane-alpha,omega-diol with Mn = 240,000 g/mol was successfully achieved by solution mixing and crosslinking. For the sample with the best actuation performance (that containing 3.5 wt.% filler), an optimized filled elastomer was obtained by dispersing 3.6 wt. % phenyl-T8 in the matrix using a suitable surfactant (Pluronic L81), thus gaining an increased electrical breakdown of 30% compared with the pristine sample. Beside dielectric strength, the matured films were characterized in terms of morphology, mechanical, dielectric and actuation tests. In spite of structural incompatibility between the filler and the matrix, the obtained materials are soft elastomers showing high strain (similar to 800%) and low Young's modulus of 50-100 kPa. The use of phenyl-T8 in a silicone matrix lead to electroactive films with slightly increased lateral actuation strain and electric breakdown strength.