WO2004112233A1

WO2004112233A1 - Polymer actuator

Info

Publication number: WO2004112233A1
Application number: PCT/JP2004/008440
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kazuo Onishi; Shingo Sewa
Original assignee: Eamex Corporation
Priority date: 2003-06-17
Filing date: 2004-06-16
Publication date: 2004-12-23

Abstract

A polymer actuator comprising an ion exchange resin molding and, superimposed on the surface thereof, a metal electrode, wherein the surface of the polymer actuator is continuously provided with a coating layer of ion exchange resin or thermoplastic urethane rubber of 200% flexibility. Thus, there is provided a polymer actuator of excellent durability wherein not only can the strength decrease of the ion exchange resin molding be prevented but also the electrode deterioration can be inhibited even when curving or deformation of the polymer actuator is continuously or repeatedly carried out without detriment to the curving or deformation response of the polymer actuator.

Description

Specification

Polymer actuator element

Technical field

The present invention relates to a polymer actuator element that functions as an actuator by bending and deforming an ion-exchange resin molded article, and more particularly, is suitable for fields such as medical equipment, industrial robots, and micromachines. The present invention relates to a polymer activator element used for a polymer.

Background art

Conventionally, as a polymer actuator, an ion exchange resin molded product and a metal electrode formed in a mutually insulated state on the surface of the ion exchange resin molded product are provided. A polymer actuator element that functions as an actuator by applying a potential difference between the metal electrodes to cause the ion-exchange resin molded article to bend and deform has been provided (for example, see Patent Document 1). Since such a polymer actuator element has a hollow cylindrical shape or a tubular shape in cross section, it can be used as a medical tube when used in a catheter for introducing a blood vessel, an introduction portion of an endoscope, or the like. Is preferred. When used for artificial muscles or other purposes, a metal layer should be formed on the surface of the ion-exchange resin molded product having the desired shape, such as a membrane, plate, or column, to form a polymer actuator element. Is also possible.

Patent Document 1: Patent No. 2961125

Disclosure of the invention

[0003] A polymer actuator element using an ion-exchange resin molded article having a cylindrical cross-section has a potential difference between the metal electrodes, so that the ion-exchange resin is accompanied by ions in the cylindrical ion-exchange resin molded article. Water molecules move to the electrode, and the water content increases near the moving-side electrode, and the molded product expands by swelling. In response to the elongation, the polymer actuator element bends and deforms in the cylindrical structure. Therefore, if the bending or deformation of the element continues, the local swelling state continues at a portion near the electrode inside the cylindrical structure of the ion-exchange resin molded product. In addition, bending or deformation of this element Is repeated, the swelling state and the non-swelling state are repeated at a portion near the electrode inside the cylindrical structure of the ion-exchange resin molded article. Therefore, these phenomena decrease the strength of the ion-exchange resin molded product over time, and cause deterioration of the electrode formed on the surface of the ion-exchange resin molded product.

[0004] In particular, a polymer actuator element using an ion-exchange resin molded product having a cylindrical cross-sectional structure has a lower strength because the ion-exchange resin layer is thinner than an ion-exchange resin molded product having a solid cross-section. small. Similarly, the membrane-shaped polymer actuator element has a small strength because the ion exchange resin layer is thin. In addition, because of the swelling, the flexibility of the ion exchange resin is small, and the resin is easily cut. Therefore, in a polymer actuator element having an electrode layer formed on an ion-exchange resin molded article, there are issues of improving the durability of the polymer actuator element, preventing deterioration of the electrode, and improving flexibility.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to prevent the strength of an ion-exchange resin molded product from being reduced and to prevent the electrode from deteriorating even if bending or deformation that does not impair the response of the device to bending or deformation is continued or repeated. It is intended to provide a polymer actuator element having excellent durability by suppressing the above-mentioned problem, and to maintain flexibility even when the polymer actuator element swells.

The present inventors have conducted intensive studies to achieve the above object, and as a result, in order to solve the above problems, an ion exchange resin molded product and a metal electrode formed on the surface of the ion exchange resin molded product And a coating layer formed of a resin having a flexibility of 200% continuously on the surface of the above-mentioned polymer actuator element. It was adopted. In the present application, the term “flexibility” refers to the tensile elongation at break (Ultimate Elongation%) in accordance with ASTM D412.

[0007] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present inventors have developed a polymer actuator element including an ion exchange resin molded product and a metal electrode formed on the surface of the ion exchange resin molded product. The present inventors have also found out that the above problem can be solved by using a polymer actuator element characterized in that a coating layer is continuously formed on the surface of the polymer actuator element with an ion exchange resin. The present invention has been reached. [0008] Therefore, in the polymer actuator element of the present invention, since the resin coating layer is continuously formed on the element surface, the metal electrode is covered with the resin, and the polymer actuator element may be bent or deformed. Even if the bending or deformation is continued or repeated while ensuring the fast response involved, the coating layer is formed, and the deterioration of the electrodes is suppressed as compared with the case of the polymer actuator element. , Durability is improved. Further, the impact resistance is improved as compared with an element having no covering layer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a cylindrical height data element according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a film-shaped height: data element according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of reference numerals

[0010] Ion-exchange resin molded black mouth with cylindrical structure

2a, 2b, 2c, 2d

Three

4a, 4b, 4c, 4d lead wire

5 Coating layer

6 Membranous ion-exchange resin molded product

7, 7 '

8, 8 '

9, 9 'Lead wire

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a cylindrical actuator element according to one embodiment of the polymer actuator element of the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes an ion exchange resin molded product having a cylindrical cross section. Reference numeral 2 denotes a metal electrode formed on the surface of the ion-exchange resin molded product 1 in a mutually insulated state. In the metal electrode 2 of the present embodiment, the metal complex is adsorbed on the surface of the ion-exchange resin molded article 1, the metal complex is reduced by a reducing agent, and the metal is deposited on the surface of the ion-exchange resin molded article 1. By repeating this, ion-exchange resin The molded article 1 is composed of a metal layer formed from the surface to the inside.

[0012] Reference numeral 3 denotes a groove-shaped insulating band. The insulating band 3 is formed by irradiating the metal layer formed on the outer surface of the cylindrical ion-exchange resin molded product with, for example, a laser beam to remove the metal layer in the irradiated portion. Therefore, the metal electrode 2 of the present embodiment is composed of a plurality of mutually electrically insulated metal electrodes 2a, 2b, 2c and 2d by a groove-shaped insulating band 3 as shown in the figure.

In this polymer actuator element, one end of each of lead wires 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d is electrically connected to each of the metal electrodes 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, and the ion-exchange resin molded product 1 is sandwiched therebetween. By applying a voltage to the electrodes 4a and 4c and 4b and 4d opposed to each other, it is possible to bend in four directions, and the force can be rotated by combining the directions of this bend.

As shown in the figure, the polymer actuator element is formed on the surfaces of the metal electrodes 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d and the surface of the insulating band 3 with a resin or an ion exchange resin having a flexibility of 200%. Covering layer 5 is formed continuously.

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a film-shaped actuator element as an embodiment of the polymer actuator element of the present invention. Metal electrodes 7, 7 'are formed on the membrane-shaped ion exchange resin molded product 6. On the metal electrodes 7 and 7 ', coating layers 8 and 8' are formed as resin layers continuous in a plane, respectively. In this polymer actuator element, one ends of the lead wires 9 and 9 ′ penetrate through the coating layers 8 and 8 ′, respectively, and are electrically connected to the metal electrodes 7 and 7 ′ to sandwich the ion exchange resin molded product 5. By applying a voltage to the electrodes 7 and 7 'opposed to each other, the electrodes 7 and 7' bend in the vertical direction in FIG. The film-like polymer actuator element is formed by laminating an ion exchange resin molded product, a metal electrode, and a coating layer, and has no coating layer on the side surface. good. When a coating layer is also formed on the side surface of the polymer actuator element, that is, when the coating layer is formed on the entire surface of the polymer actuator element, the polymer actuator element has excellent durability. .

[0016] Therefore, the polymer actuator element of the present embodiment is characterized in that the coating layer is continuously formed on the surface of the metal electrode and the surface of the insulating band. The electrode is prevented from deteriorating against swelling due to water molecules occurring in the vicinity of the electrode inside the electrode, thereby improving durability. Further, the provision of the coating layer improves the flexibility of the device. When the coating layer is a resin that is not an ion-exchange resin, the polymer actuator element of the present embodiment has a coating layer of a polymer resin formed continuously on the surface of the metal electrode and the surface of the insulating band. For example, when this is used in a living body as a medical device or instrument, even if the surroundings are electrolyte, it does not cause the leakage of electricity even if it is replaced by the ions in the element, and the displacement performance will not deteriorate. In addition, it is also possible to suppress the occurrence of electrolysis on the element surface and adhesion of bubbles to the surface. In the case where the coating layer is an ion exchange resin, the coating layer swells with water similarly to the element, so that the element does not lower the swelling curve.

In the present invention, as the coating layer, a coating layer formed of a resin having a flexibility of 200% or more can be used. By forming the coating layer from a resin having a flexibility of 200% or more, it is possible to improve the durability of the polymer actuator element and prevent the electrode from deteriorating without impeding the response of bending or deformation. Can be. When the coating layer is formed of a thermoplastic elastomer having a degree of flexibility of less than 200%, when the polymer actuator element is fixed and a voltage is applied to the electrode layer to bend or deform, the electrode layer is formed. Since it cannot follow the expansion and contraction of the electrode, the electrode layer is broken at the fixed portion of the polymer actuator element. Alternatively, the flexibility of the coating layer greatly inhibits the curvature. The coating layer of the polymer resin may be provided on the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical structure of the ion-exchange resin molded article, or may be provided on both the inner peripheral surface and the outer peripheral surface. Further, the method for forming the coating layer is not particularly limited, and can be formed by, for example, coating. In the above description, the case of a cylindrical structure has been described, but the shape of the polymer actuator element is, for example, a film-like structure in which an ion exchange resin layer is sandwiched between a pair of electrode layers. You can. In the case of this film-like structure, the coating layer can cover the entire surface of the film-like polymer actuator element.

[0018] The composition of the resin is not particularly limited as long as the flexibility is 200% or more. However, the use of a flexible thermoplastic polyurethane, which is preferred by an elastomer having high flexibility, may be used. Is particularly preferred because of its high adhesiveness. As a flexible thermoplastic polyurethane, "Asaflex 825" (200% flexibility, manufactured by Asahi Kasei Corporation) Pelesen 2363_80A (flexibility 550%), Pelecene 2363_80AE (flexibility 650%), Pelecene 2363_90A (flexibility 500%), Pelecene 2363_90AE (flexibility 550%), 'Chemical Co., Ltd.) can be used. The softness may be 200% or more, but it is preferably 600% or more, preferably a softness of 500% or more. It is even better. The multi-layer formed of the resin having a flexibility of 200% or more of the present invention contains a resin having a softness of 200% or more as a base resin. If not reduced by 200%, pigments, fillers and other additives can be included.

[0019] In the present invention, the coating layer can use a coating layer formed of an ion exchange resin. When the polymer actuator element of the present invention is driven in water, swelling of the ion exchange resin forming the coating layer is performed by immersing the polymer actuator element having the coating layer formed of the ion exchange resin in water. Occurs. Due to this swelling, the coating layer is easily deformed, and can follow the curve or deformation of the polymer actuator element. It is possible to improve the durability of the polymer actuator element and prevent the electrode from deteriorating without peeling off the electrode.

[0020] Further, the polymer actuator element in which the coating layer is formed of an ion exchange resin is a polymer actuator element having a coating layer of the resin other than the ion exchange resin because the ion exchange resin layer is permeable to water. In comparison, the swelling speed is preferable because sufficient swelling can be obtained from the force S without securing the strength to increase the speed. As the ion exchange resin, a known ion exchange resin such as a perfluorosulfonic acid resin and a perfluorocarboxylic acid resin can be used. The ion-exchange resin may be a different type of ion-exchange resin from the cylindrical ion-exchange resin molded product, but preferably uses the same type of ion-exchange resin.

Although the thickness of the coating layer of the polymer resin is not limited, it is preferable that the coating layer is formed to have a thickness of 320 × m, particularly 418 μm. When the thickness of the coating layer of the polymer resin is thinner than 1 μm, it is not always necessary to secure the strength of the polymer actuator element having a cylindrical cross section. not enough. On the other hand, when the thickness of the coating layer of the polymer resin exceeds 20 μΐη, it is not always sufficient in terms of the quickness of response relating to the bending or deformation of the polymer actuator element. In order to improve the strength of a polymer actuator element with a cylindrical cross-section while ensuring excellent responsiveness to bending or deformation of the element, the thickness of the polymer resin coating layer should be 320 μm In particular, it is preferable to form it with a thickness of 418 μm.

[0022] The coating layer of the polymer actuator element of the present invention is formed by a resin having a flexibility of 200% or more or an ion exchange resin as a resin component for forming the layer. I just want to.

In the polymer actuator device of the present invention, an ion-exchange resin molded article having a coating layer and a metal electrode layer formed on the surface can be obtained by a known production method. For example, an ion-exchange resin membrane is immersed in an aqueous solution containing a metal complex such as a platinum complex and a gold complex to adsorb the metal complex, and the adsorbed metal complex is reduced with a reducing agent to deposit a metal. By forming an electrode by the method and repeating the adsorption and reduction steps, it is possible to obtain an ion exchange resin molded article having the metal electrode layer formed thereon.

[0024] The steps of adsorption and reduction are repeated at least six times in order to secure an amount of metal on the polymer electrolyte that can cause displacement such as bending as an actuator. Can be. When the set of the adsorption step and the reduction step performed after the adsorption step are performed repeatedly, and the set is repeated a plurality of times, in order to facilitate the adsorption step after the reduction step, It is preferable to perform a washing step of washing the ion exchange resin membrane on which the metal has been deposited. In addition, as a step before the adsorption step, a swelling step of swelling the ion exchange resin membrane by infiltrating a good solvent or a mixed solvent containing a good solvent is performed. It is preferred because it can be done. In the swelling step, the swollen polymer electrolyte has a predetermined shape, and the thickness of the polymer electrolyte in a swollen state is 110% of the thickness of the polymer electrolyte in a dry state. The swelling step described above can be performed.

[0025] The good solvent depends on the use of the laminate finally obtained by the electroless plating method. A suitable solvent type can be used depending on the composition of the polymer electrolyte employed. The good solvent may be a mixture of plural kinds of good solvents. As the good solvent, for example, methanol, dimethyl sulfoxide, N_methylpyrrolidone, dimethylformamide, ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, glycerin and the like can be used. When the polymer electrolyte is a perfluorocarboxylic acid resin or a perfluorosulfonic acid resin, methanol, ethanol, propanol, hexafluoro-2-propanol, diethylene glycol, and glycerin can be used. In particular, in the swelling step, when the polymer electrolyte is a perfluorocarboxylic acid resin or a perfluorosulfonate resin, methanol or a solvent containing methanol is permeated to swell the polymer electrolyte. It is preferable that the polymer electrolyte swells to a thickness of 110% or more of the thickness of the polymer electrolyte in a dry state. This is because methanol has good workability since it swells easily and is easy to handle.

[0026] In the thus obtained laminate of the polymer electrolyte and the electrode layer, an electrode is formed by growing a metal layer in the inner direction of the polymer electrolyte. At the interface, a cross-section of the electrode layer can form a fractal structure. The joined body of the polymer electrolyte having the fractal structure and the electrode layer can be largely bent. In addition, by forming the above-mentioned multiple layers on the surface of a laminate or a joined body of the metal electrode layer and the ion-exchange resin obtained by the production method using such a swelling process, a large curvature is formed. In addition, since the deterioration of the electrodes can be suppressed and the durability is improved, the polymer is more suitable as a polymer actuator element suitably used in the fields of medical equipment, industrial robots, micromachines and the like.

Example

(Example 1)

Surface with 200 μm thick fluorinated ion-exchange resin molded product (Flemion membrane, Perfluorocarboxylic acid membrane, Ion exchange capacity 1,44meq / g, manufactured by Asahi Glass Co., Ltd.) and # 800 anoremina particles After roughening, the following steps (1)-(3) were repeated for two cycles to form a gold electrode on the surface of the ion-exchange resin molded product.

[0028] (1) Adsorption step: immersed in an aqueous solution of phosphoric acid salt for 24 hours for fining, Adsorb the Nanto-port phosphorus gold complex.

(2) Precipitation step: The adsorbed phenanthine-phosphorus gold complex is reduced in an aqueous solution containing sodium sulfite and NaOH to form a gold electrode on the surface of the ion-exchange resin molded product. At this time, the temperature of the aqueous solution is set to 6080 ° C., and while the sodium sulfite is gradually added, the phosphorus-phosphorus gold complex is reduced for 6 hours.

(3) Washing step: Take out the ion-exchange resin molded article with the gold electrode formed on the surface and wash it with 70 ° C water for 1 hour.

[0029] Next, the element on which the gold electrode was formed was dipped in a solution obtained by dissolving thermoplastic polyurethane (trade name "Pelecene 2363_80AE", manufactured by Dow Chemical Company) in tetrahydrofuran. The polymer actuator element of Example 1 in which a polyurethane resin coating layer having a thickness of 5 μm was formed was obtained.

(Example 2)

In the same manner as in Example 1 except that the thermoplastic polyurethane (trade name “Pelecene 2363-80AE”, manufactured by Dow Chemical Co.) was changed to the thermoplastic polyurethane (trade name “Pelecene 2363-90A”, manufactured by Dow Chemical Co., Ltd.) Thus, a polymer actuator device of Example 2 in which a 6 μm-thick polyurethane resin coating layer was formed on the outer surface of the device, was obtained.

(Example 3)

Thermoplastic polyurethane (trade name “Pelecene 2363-80AE”, manufactured by Dow Chemical Co.) was converted to ion exchange resin (perfluorosulfonic acid resin, trade name “Flemion Solution FFS-1”, manufactured by Asahi Glass Co., Ltd. In the same manner as in Example 1 except that the exchange capacity was changed to 1.lmeq / g), the polymer actuator device of Example 3 in which a coating layer having a thickness of 7 μm was formed on the outer surface of the device was obtained. .

(Example 4)

The above element was manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the thermoplastic polyurethane (trade name “Pelecene 2363_80AE”, manufactured by Dow Chemical Co.) was changed to a styrene resin (trade name “Asaflex 825”, manufactured by Asahi Kasei Corporation). A polymer actuator element of Example 4 having a polyurethane resin coating layer having a thickness of 7 μm formed on the outer surface of was obtained.

(Comparative Example 1) Surface with 200 μm membrane fluororesin-based ion-exchange resin molded product (Flemion membrane, Perfluorocarboxylic acid membrane, Ion-exchange capacity 1,44meq / g, manufactured by Asahi Glass Co., Ltd.) and # 800 anoremina particles After performing the rough dangling, the following steps (1) and (3) were repeated for two cycles to form a gold electrode on the surface of the ion-exchange resin molded product. A molecular actuator element was obtained.

(1) Adsorption step: Dipping for 24 hours in an aqueous solution of phosphoric acid at a phenantine port to adsorb the phosphorous complex at a phenantine port in a molded article.

(2) Precipitation step: reducing the adsorbed phenantophosphorus gold complex in an aqueous solution containing sodium sulfite and NaOH to form a gold electrode on the surface of the ion-exchange resin molded product. At this time, the temperature of the aqueous solution is set to 60-80 ° C, and the sodium phosphite complex is reduced for 6 hours while gradually adding sodium sulfite.

(Comparative Example 2)

Example 1 except that a thermoplastic resin (trade name “Pelecene 2363-80AE”, manufactured by Dow Chemical Co.) was replaced by a polychlorinated vinyl resin (trade name “D2033”, flexibility: 170%, manufactured by Apco). In the same manner as in 1, a polymer actuator element of Comparative Example 2 in which a polyvinyl chloride resin coating layer having a film thickness of 5 μΐη was formed.

[Evaluation]

With respect to the polymer actuator elements of Examples 14 and 14 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2, the displacement, electrode deterioration, durability and swelling time were measured by the following methods. Table 1 shows the results.

[Table 1] Actual a discussion Comparative example

1 2 3 4 1 2

Perfluo

Thermoplastic ゥ Thermoplastic ゥ Styrenic Polyvinyl chloride Resin type Locarpon

Resin rubber Resin rubber Resin Nyl resin Acid resin

Layer

Flexibility (%) 650 500 -200 -170 Displacement (mm) 6 4 8 3 9 1 Deterioration of electrode © ◎ ◎ 〇 X o Durability (days) 7 8 7 7 2 7 Swelling time (min) 30 30 5 30 2 30 [0037] (Displacement)

With respect to the actuator elements of Examples 14 and 14 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2, a platinum plate was used as an opposite electrode at each electrode end, the actuator element was held in water, and connected to a power supply via a lead, and a voltage was applied. A voltage was applied (0.1Ηζ, ± 2.0 V square wave), and the displacement was measured. The amount of displacement was fixed at a position 6 mm from one end of the actuator of Examples 14 and 14 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2, and +2.0 V was applied at a position 5 mm from the fixed part when fixed. The distance between the position in the case and the position when -2.0 V was applied was measured as the amount of displacement (bending amount).

(Degree of electrode deterioration)

For each of the polymer actuator elements of Examples 14 and 14 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2, a voltage was applied for 100 hours under the above measurement conditions of the amount of displacement, and then deterioration of the electrodes was confirmed by observing the cross section. The electrode deterioration degree was evaluated based on a standard.

(Evaluation criteria)

榭: 80% or more of the 榭 -shaped fractal structure remains.

〇: 榭 -shaped fractal structure remains from 60% to less than 80%.

△: △ -shaped fractal structural force 0% or more and less than 60% remained.

X: 榭 -shaped fractal structural force Less than 0% remains.

[0039] (Durability)

For each of the polymer actuator elements of Examples 14 and 14 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2, a voltage was applied under the above-described measurement conditions of the amount of displacement, and the presence or absence of the displacement was checked every 24 hours, and the displacement was maintained. I confirmed the period (days) to do.

[0040] (Swelling time)

For each of the polymer actuator elements of Examples 14 and 14 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2, test pieces having a length of 10 mm and a width of lmm were prepared. Each test piece was immersed in pure water, and the time required for the ion-exchange resin used as a substrate when forming the electrode to swell by 70% was measured. The test pieces of Examples 13 and 13 and Comparative Example 2 were molded so that the ion-exchange resin at the tip and side surfaces of the polymer actuator element was exposed, Infiltrated.

[0041] (Result)

The polymer actuator element of Example 1, which is the polymer actuator element of the present invention, was excellent in electrode deterioration and durability because the coating layer was formed of a thermoplastic polyurethane rubber having a flexibility of 200% or more. . On the other hand, the polymer actuator element of Comparative Example 1 was not provided with the coating layer, and thus had deteriorated electrodes and poor durability.

[0042] The polymer actuator element of Example 2 which is the polymer actuator element of the present invention also has a covering layer formed of a thermoplastic polyurethane rubber having a flexibility of 500%. The electrode was excellent in deterioration and durability.

[0043] The polymer actuator elements of Example 1 and Example 2 were displaced in comparison with the polymer actuator elements of Example 4 in which the flexibility of the coating layer was 200% because the flexibility of the coating layer was large. Is big. Therefore, the polymer actuator elements of Example 1 and Example 2 are suitable for practical use requiring a large amount of bending, such as a distal end portion of a catheter. Further, since the actuator element of Example 1 has a flexibility of 650% or more, it is superior in the amount of displacement to the actuator element of Example 2, and requires a large amount of bending such as a distal end portion of a catheter. It is particularly suitable for various uses.

[0044] The polymer actuator element of Example 3, which is the polymer actuator element of the present invention, had excellent electrode deterioration and durability because the coating layer was formed of an ion exchange resin. The time required for the polymer actuator element of Example 3 was less than 1/6 of the time required for swelling as compared with the polymer actuator elements of Examples 1 and 2 compared to the polymer actuator elements of Examples 1 and 2. That is, since the polymer actuator element of Example 3 can be used as an actuator in an extremely short time after being immersed in water such as an electrolytic solution, it is excellent in workability as an actuator element.

[0045] In addition, the polymer actuator of Comparative Example 2 uses a resin having a flexibility of less than 200% as the coating layer, and thus requires a large amount of curvature such as a tip portion of a catheter where displacement is small. Was not suitable for practical use.

Industrial applicability INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention is suitable as a polymer actuator element because it has excellent durability and electrode deterioration resistance as a polymer actuator element that functions as an actuator by bending and deforming an ion exchange resin molded product. In particular, it is suitable as a polymer actuator element suitably used in the fields of medical equipment, industrial robots, micromachines and the like. In particular, in the case of the polymer actuator element of the present invention, when the coating layer is a coating layer in which the coating layer is continuously formed by ion exchange resin, the ion exchange resin layer is in a swelling state sufficient for driving. Since the required time is short, it is suitable as a polymer actuator element driven in water, particularly as an actuator element for driving a fish model.

Claims

The scope of the claims

[1] A polymer actuator element comprising an ion-exchange resin molded product and a metal electrode layer formed on a surface of the ion-exchange resin molded product,

A polymer actuator element, wherein a coating layer is continuously formed on the surface of the polymer actuator element with a resin having a flexibility of 200% or more.

[2] The polymer actuator device according to claim 1, wherein the shape of the actuator device is a film shape or a cylindrical shape.

[3] A polymer actuator element comprising an ion-exchange resin molded article and a metal electrode layer formed on a surface of the ion-exchange resin molded article,

A polymer actuator element, wherein a coating layer is continuously formed of an ion exchange resin on a surface of the polymer actuator element.

[4] The polymer actuator device according to claim 3, wherein the shape of the actuator device is a film shape or a cylindrical shape.

[5] The polymer actuator element according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the resin having a flexibility of 200% or more is a thermoplastic polyurethane.