17: Review of Ionic Polymer–Metal Composites (IPMCs) as Smart Materials

Chapter 17 reviews ionic polymer–metal nanocomposites (IPMCs). This chapter describes ionic polymeric networks containing conjugated ions that can be redistributed by an applied electric field and consequently act as distributed nanoactuators, nanosensors, and energy harvesters. It briefly presents the manufacturing methodologies and fundamental properties and characteristics of such ionic polymers such as IPMCs. A phenomenological model of the underlying actuation and sensing mechanisms is also presented based on linear irreversible thermodynamics. Here, there are two driving forces, an electric field, E, and a solvent pressure gradient, Δp. There are also two fluxes, the electric current density, J and the ionic+plasticizer flux, Q. Polymers containing equilibrated and conjugated ions within their molecular networks present a great opportunity to create smart nanocomposites with distributed nanoactuation, nanosensing, nano transduction and energy harvesting capabilities for a variety of industrial, scientific and medical applications. Gel-based and chitosan-based conductor composites have also been considered as electrically active composite smart materials.