Enhanced electromechanical performance through chemistry graft copper phthalocyanine to siloxane-modified polyurethane and interpenetrate with siloxane silicon rubber as composite actuator material

Researchers are devoted to developing dielectric elastomers (DEs) with excellent electromechanical properties as an artificial muscle material. The authors report a new class of semi-interpenetrating network (semi-IPN) composites that contains siloxane-modified linear polyurethane (PU) and silicone rubber through reasonable design of polymer structure. The organic-filler copper phthalocyanine (CuPc) is chemically grafted into the semi-interpenetrating network as a cross-linking point and exhibits excellent dispersibility in the matrix. The various properties of the obtained composite films are also evaluated. The dielectric constant (8.65 at 1 kHz) and maximum actuation strain at 30 MV m⁻¹ (5.32%) are significantly higher than those of semi-IPN composites.