About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
2027 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition
|
| Symposium
|
Advances in Surface Engineering IX
|
| Presentation Title |
Surface Engineering of Interpenetrating Ag Nano-Islands on Nafion for Soft Actuators |
| Author(s) |
An-Jun Zheng, Takashi Harumoto, Ji Shi, Wan-Ting Chiu |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
An-Jun Zheng |
| Abstract Scope |
Soft actuators are highly demanded for future technologies owing to their intrinsic compliance, lightweight nature, and capability to produce adaptive and biomimetic motions. In this study, surface engineering is focused for preparing the interpenetrating Ag nano-islands (Ag NIs) into Nafion via ion-exchange-assisted in-situ chemical reduction, producing a nanostructured conductive surface for soft actuators. SEM and AFM analyses revealed hierarchical nano-island assemblies with pronounced nanoscale surface undulations, while UV-Vis spectroscopy confirmed localized surface plasmon resonance behavior of Ag. Cross-sectional characterization further demonstrated subsurface Ag penetration and mechanically interlocked conductive interfaces. The Ag NIs/Nafion composite exhibited a low sheet resistance of 0.59 Ω sq-1 and maintained stable electrical conductivity under tensile, peeling, and bending deformation. In addition, the nanostructured Ag surface suppressed water loss, improving hydration stability under electrical bias. Under 3 V actuation, the actuator achieved a bending angle of 44.4° and a blocking force of 2.6 mN. |
| Proceedings Inclusion? |
Planned: |
| Keywords |
Characterization, Composites, Nanotechnology |