Highly stretchable dielectric elastomer material based on acrylonitrile butadiene rubber

This study presents a highly stretchable dielectric elastomer material for transducers based on acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (NBR). The material has advantages in that its mechanical and electrical properties can be modified according to the requirements of applications by changing the content of additives such as carbon black (CB), multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT), and graphite (GP) in the NBR matrix. First, the changes of dielectric permittivity depending on the additives are discussed. Moreover, the electrical resistance is examined in detail by changing the compositions of the additives, and the applicability of the material to the electrodes of transducers is investigated. Finally, the optimal contents of additives for actuators or sensors are discussed.