The Polymer Society of Korea

Abstract

Nafion-based ionic actuators suffer from intrinsic limitations in force generation due to a long-standing trade-off between ionic conductivity and mechanical stiffness, which restricts reliable high-frequency operation. In this study, we report a PEG-silica hybrid ionic electroactive Nafion (Ps-iEN) actuator that forms a continuous ion-transport network while maintaining mechanical modulus. The hybrid electrolyte interacts with the sulfonic acid groups of Nafion to expand and interconnect ion channels, enhancing ionic conductivity, while PEG-polymerized silica particles reinforce the polymer matrix to improve mechanical stiffness. As a result, the Ps-iEN actuator exhibits higher blocking force at lower driving voltages and stable actuation over a wide frequency range of 0.1-50 Hz. Furthermore, the actuator demonstrates muscle-inspired, frequency-dependent actuation modes, indicating its potential for applications in tactile feedback systems and soft robotic devices