Self-powered and integral self-healing dielectric elastomer actuator with a robust interface

Abstract

Dielectric elastomer actuators (DEAs) have been intensively studied as a promising candidate for artificial muscle. However, their high voltage requirements and vulnerability to external damage limit their widespread application and long-term service life. Herein, a novel polydimethylsiloxane with reversible imine and disulfide bonds is synthesized to develop an integral self-healing DEA (ISDEA), where both the dielectric film and compliant electrodes possess self-healing capabilities. Because the effective diffusion of self-healing polydimethylsiloxane chains along the interface between the dielectric film and the compliant electrodes, the ISDEA achieves a robust interface with a bonding force of 4.12 N, resulting in an integral self-healing efficiency of more than 92.1% after mechanical damage. Furthermore, a triboelectric nanogenerator is used to drive the ISDEA, resulting in a self-powered ISDEA system that not only ensures safe operation but also prevents the electrical breakdown of the ISDEA. The self-powered ISDEA is then combined with a spring to create a roll-type finger rehabilitation trainer that can be used as motion-assisted soft robots for spinal muscular atrophy patients. The presented ISDEA provides guidance not only for the artificial muscles that mimic natural muscles but also for future intelligent integrated devices.