Mahaveer D Kurkuri et al 2006 Smart Mater. Struct. 15 417 doi:10.1088/0964-1726/15/2/022
Mahaveer D Kurkuri1, Jae-Rock Lee2, Jae Hung Han1,3 and In Lee1
Show affiliationsGrafted copolymers of poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) were prepared using a Ce(IV) glucose redox initiator by free radical polymerization. Three grafted copolymers having 20%, 50% and 80% grafting were selected for this study. Thus-modified polymer was characterized by means of Fourier transform infrared spectra, 1H NMR, gel permeation chromatography, thermogravimetric analysis and universal testing machine approaches. The membranes were prepared by a solution casting method, where the cross-linking process was performed through the in situ addition of glutaraldehyde and hydrochloric acid as the cross-linking agent and catalyst respectively. The following four membranes were prepared: (i) pure PVA; (ii) 20% grafted PVA; (iii) 50% grafted PVA; (iv) 80% grafted PVA. The membranes obtained were employed in the electroactive behavior study under a DC electric stimulus in different concentrations of electrolyte. The equilibrium bending angles (EBA) of these polymers were studied with respect to time, poly(acrylic acid) content, electric voltage applied across the polymer and ionic strength of the electrolyte used. Experimental results show stable reversibility of the bending behavior of these polymers under an applied DC electric field. The EBA increased with increase in the applied electric voltage and poly(acrylic acid) content within the polymer.
82.35.Jk Copolymers, phase transitions, structure
81.20.Ka Chemical synthesis; combustion synthesis
Soft matter, liquids and polymers
Surfaces, interfaces and thin films
Issue 2 (April 2006)
Received 22 February 2005, in final form 14 November 2005
Published 30 January 2006
Mahaveer D Kurkuri et al 2006 Smart Mater. Struct. 15 417
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