Analysis of modeling parameters affecting on IPMC deformation property

Based on electro-chemical-mechanical field interaction, the aim of the paper is to study the IPMC (ion-exchange polymer metal composite) macroscopic deformation and parameters effect by numerical simulation method. The virtual RC (resistor-capacitor) circuit is constructed to reflect the influence of simulation parameters on the electric current and current integration under the action of external electric field. The calculation results illustrate that the current integration is a decisive parameter. It can be used to control the migration movement of the N+ ion within the Nation membrane. If increasing the capacitor, the current integration enlarge and moving speed of N+ ion within the Nation membrane speed up, so that the macroscopic deformation increases. Nevertheless, if increasing the resistance, the current integration decline and the macroscopic deformation decrease. Using the standard three-parameter visco-elastic model, the numerical simulation is carried out to describe the visco-elastic mechanical behavior of Nation membrane. The expression about the Young's modulus with time decay is obtained, which can be used to describe the bending deflection of cantilever beam more accurately. Through the micro-analysis, the deformation about IPMC can be achieved by introducing the static-electric stress as the initial stress. The rotate angle corresponds to the maximum deflection of the cantilever beam is 24 degree.