With the help of nanoscale materials like carbon nanotube (CNT), there is the potential to develop new actuators that will provide higher work per cycle than previous actuator technologies, and generate much higher mechanical strength. In this study, the electrochemical actuation characteristics of nano carbon materials were experimentally studied to develop electrochemical actuators. The electrochemical actuators were composed of aqueous NaCl electrolyte and their actuating electrodes were made of multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)/polystyrene composite and graphene respectably. Actuation is proportional to charging transfer rate, and the electrolysis with an AC voltage input has very complex characteristics. To quantify the actuation property, the strain responses and output model were studied based on electrochemical effects between the nano carbon films and the electrolyte.
