Preparation of a New Ionic Polymer-metal Composite

The ionomer of sulfonated ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymers (EVOH-SO₃K) crosslinked by toluene-2,4-diisocyanate (EVOH-SO₃K) was synthesized and ionic polymer-metal composites (IPMC) based on EVOH-SO₃K was produced through electroless deposition of argentum onto the surfaces of EVOH-SO₃K membrane. FTIR spectroscopy confirmed sulfonic modification by introduction of two characteristic peaks at 1264cm-1 (asymmetric stretching vibration) and 1022cm-1 (symmetric stretching vibration) of the S=O stretch vibration in the SO3-group respectively; and the crosslinking modification through introduction of the bands at 1190cm-1 which is attributed to the C-O-C stretching vibration of amidation between -OH and toluene-2,4-diisocyanate(TDI); scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed the electrode based on argentum is deposited uniformly on the surface of ionomer. Performance tests showed IPMC with the surface resistance of 0.8Omega/mm2 could be deformed under 3V applied voltage through three time chemical deposition, and the deformation angle could reach to 36deg.