Multiwalled carbon-nanotube actuators

Multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWNT) mats (see Figure) exhibit actuation strains of about 0.2 % without optimization, which compares favorably with those generally reported for single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) mats (0.06-0.2 %). Analysis of strain versus applied potential and strain versus nominal charge per carbon indicates that the mechanisms of actuation in the MWNT mats are similar to those in SWNT mats.