Stability of electrochemomechanical strains in polypyrrole films using ionic liquids

Electrochemomechanical strain (ECMS) of conducting polymers, polypyrrole (PPy) films was studied using several kinds of ionic liquids and the mixed solution with organic solvents from the view points of strain and stability. The PPy films, which were electrodeposited from lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI), showed porous morphology. The ECMS in the films operated in ionic liquids was less than 5%, demonstrating a cation movement behavior and stable cycling. By the operation in ionic liquid/propylene carbonate (PC) mixed solution, the ECMS increased up to 24% showing the anion movement, and gradually decreased upon cycling to 16% at 10th cycle. The strain and stability of the ECMS in mixed electrolyte solution with various ratios of the ionic liquid and PC were studied and discussed in terms of mechanisms of ECMS in mixed solutions.