An ionic electroactive polymer actuator (IEPA) was fabricated using regioregular-poly(3-hexylthiophene) (RR-P3HT) nanofibers. The RR-P3HT nanofiber mat was reinforced with regiorandom-P3HT (RRa-P3HT) as the tie chains and polybutadiene rubber (PBR) as a flexible matrix. The blended actuator, which preserved the RR-P3HT nanofiber structure, exhibited a substantial bending angle exceeding 80° after the redox reaction while sustaining reversible actuation for more than 30 cycles. The RR-P3HT nanofibers that were blended with RRa-P3HT and PBR demonstrated remarkable functionality as an IEPA, characterized by a significant bending angle and enduring cyclic actuation capabilities.
- Yoshihiro Murasawa
- Tomoya Yoshii
- Takeshi Shimomura
