Factors affecting the surface and release properties of thin polydimethylsiloxane films

Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) elastomers are commonly used as dielectric electroactive polymers (DEAPs). DEAP films are used in making actuators, generators and sensors. In the large-scale manufacture of DEAP films, the release of films from the substrate (carrier web) induces some defects and prestrain in the films, which affects the overall performance of the films. The current research is directed toward investigating factors affecting the peel force and release of thin, corrugated PDMS films used as DEAP films. It has been shown that doping the PDMS films with small quantities of perfluoroether allylamide (F(CFCF3CF2O)(7)CFCF3CONHCH2CH=CH2) lowers the surface energy, which could facilitate release. This idea is further investigated, and the resultant change in the film performance is evaluated. The relationship between the adhesive energy, surface energy, Young's modulus and peel force of the films is also analyzed.