An electroactive polymer composite with reinforced bending strength, based on tubular micro carbonized-cellulose

Electroactive polymers (EAPs) have attracted much attention in a variety of areas such as robotics, sensors, and biomedical devices. However, the practical applications of these actuators are still challenging mainly because of their incomplete reversibility and high applied voltage. This paper presents a method for the fabrication of a conductive chitosan composite actuator with high flexural modulus. An essential component of the actuator is tubular carbonized-cellulose, synthesized in an orderly crystalline structure. The prepared actuator reveals high elasticity and flexural modulus with minimum plastic deformation. A reversible electro-thermal motion was observed upon the application of a direct current (DC) of 5 V to the composite ribbon.