Carbon nanofiber actuator
An electroconductive film for an actuator is formed from a gel composition including carbon nanofibers, an ionic liquid, and a polymer. The carbon nanofibers are produced with an aromatic mesophase pitch by melt spinning.
1. An actuator element comprising:
an electrolyte membrane including a polymer and an ionic liquid; and
at least two electroconductive films provided in a mutually insulative state on the opposing surfaces of the electrolyte membrane, wherein each electroconductive film is formed from a gel composition including carbon nanofibers, an ionic liquid, and a polymer, wherein the carbon nanofibers comprise a melt spun aromatic mesophase pitch, wherein the carbon nanofibers comprise activated carbon nanofibers,
wherein the actuator deforms when a potential difference is applied across the electroconductive films.
2. The actuator element according to claim 1 , wherein the actuator can operate repeatedly with no substantial decay of displacement for 8,000 seconds or longer at a certain voltage.
3. The actuator element according to claim 1 , further comprising an ion-conductive layer, wherein the at least two electroconductive films provided in a mutually insulative state on the opposing surfaces of the ion-conductive layer.
4. An actuator element comprising:
an electrolyte membrane including a polymer and an ionic liquid; and
at least two electroconductive films provided in a mutually insulative state on the opposing surfaces of the electrolyte membrane, wherein each electroconductive film is formed from a gel composition including carbon nanofibers, an ionic liquid, and a polymer, wherein the carbon nanofibers comprise a melt spun aromatic mesophase pitch,
wherein
the actuator deforms when a potential difference is applied across the electroconductive films, and
the actuator can operate repeatedly with no substantial decay of displacement for 8,000 seconds or longer at a certain voltage.
5. The electroconductive film for an actuator according to claim 4 , wherein the carbon nanofibers are selected from the group consisting of carbon nanofibers, activated carbon nanofibers, and
a combination thereof.
6. The electroconductive film for an actuator according to claim 4 , wherein the carbon nanofibers comprise activated carbon nanofibers.
7. The actuator element according to claim 4 , further comprising an ion-conductive layer, wherein the at least two electroconductive films provided in a mutually insulative state on the opposing surfaces of the ion-conductive layer.