Review on the Research Progress and Application of IPMC Sensors

Ionic Polymer Metal Composites (IPMCs) are considered important electroactive polymers that have recently attracted the attention of the scientific community owing to their simple structure, adaptable form, high degree of flexibility, and biocompatibility during their utilization as sensing elements. Along these lines, in this work, the recent developments in performance optimization, model construction, and applications of IPMC sensors were reported. Different methods were introduced to enhance the sensitivity, preparation efficiency, and stability of the IPMC sensors including optimising the electrode and substrate membrane preparation, as well as implementing structural and shape modifications, etc. The IPMC sensing model, which serves as the theoretical foundation for the IPMC sensor, was summarized herein to offer directions for future application research activities. The applications of these sensors in a wide range of areas were also reviewed, such as wearable electronic devices, flow sensors, humidity sensors, energy harvesting devices, etc.