Electromechanical Behavior of Room Temperature Ionic Liquid Dispersed Cellulose

The effect of 1-butyl-3-metllylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate (BMIPF6) dispersion on the structure, thermal stability and electromechanical behavior of cellulose was investigated by infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetry and bending actuation test. Dispersion of BMIPF6 in cellulose matrix was carried out by solution blending technique. Upon dispersion of 20 wt % BMIPF6, the bending displacement of the actuator was enhanced by four times as compared to that of pristine cellulose. However, BMIPF6 dispersion resulted in increased amorphous region and reduced its thermal stability of cellulose. This might be due to interruption of Cellulose crystallization by entrapment of BMIPF6 molecules between cellulose layers and weakening of the intra- and intermolecular hydrogen bonds of cellulose. Humidity effect and the durability of the BMIPF6 dispersed cellulose actuator are discussed.