Enhanced actuation application of nafion–ZnO nanoparticles doped sheet as ionic polymer metal composite (IPMC); dopant piezoelectric effect

In this paper, a novel ionic polymer metal composite (IPMC) has been fabricated by chemical electroless plating method integrated with doping ZnO nanoparticles in the nafion polymeric matrix. This IPMC is a smart material acting as a responsive actuator in biomedical devices. ZnO nanoparticles, known as remarkable piezoelectric material, could highly enhance the actuation properties of our IPMC. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) microscopy analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imaging, photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy and XRD spectroscopy were used to analyse ZnO nanoparticles. Doped sheet fabrication was also proved by X-ray scattering. The final IPMC fabrication was done by chemical electroless plating of Pt on the doped sheet as electrodes. Angle of bending of the undoped and ZnO-doped IPMC was measured in an applied electrical field as a function of actuating properties. It was found that ZnO doping could increase the actuation application up to 42% in the same applied voltages.