Synthesis of graphene oxide coated Nafion membrane for actuator application

We have fabricated an ionic polymer metal composite (IPMC) actuator with polyaniline and graphene oxide composite as electrode over the widely used Nafion membrane, using a simple solvent mixing and dip coating process thus avoiding the costly and time-consuming platinum coating process. The proton conductivity, dielectric constant, water uptake potential, ionic transference number and X-Ray diffraction studies have been carried out along with monitoring the tip displacement of the actuator with varying D.C. voltages and time. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd and Techna Group S.r.l. All rights reserved.