About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
2027 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition
|
| Symposium
|
Phase Stability, Phase Transformations, and Reactive Phase Formation in Electronic Materials XXVI
|
| Presentation Title |
Structural and Phase Stability of Interpenetrating Ag Nano-Islands in Nafion Soft Actuators |
| Author(s) |
An-Jun Zheng, Takashi Harumoto, Ji Shi, Wan-Ting Chiu |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
An-Jun Zheng |
| Abstract Scope |
Understanding the nanostructure formation kinetics and phase stability of electrically conductive metal thin film within soft polymers is critical for developing durable electroactive materials. In this work, interpenetrating Ag nano-islands (Ag NIs) were formed in Nafion via ion-exchange-assisted in-situ chemical reduction. Cross-sectional analysis revealed subsurface Ag penetration, creating a mechanically interlocked morphology that yielded a low sheet resistance of 0.59 Ω sq-1 with stable electrical conductivity under deformation. The resulting Ag NIs/Nafion composite exhibited excellent durability during tensile, peeling, and bending tests. Under an applied voltage of as low as 3 V, the actuator achieved a bending angle of 44.4° and a blocking force of 2.6 mN. Furthermore, the integrated nanostructure-Ag phase suppressed water loss, stabilizing the hydrated state under dynamic bias. These findings provide an effective strategy for controlling metal thin film formation and morphological evolution in soft electroactive polymer systems. |
| Proceedings Inclusion? |
Planned: |
| Keywords |
Characterization, Composites, Nanotechnology |