Influence of the thermal treatment applied to PAN gel on its length change and generated force

Abstract

PAN gel is known for its strong matrix as well as for its fast length change by the acid-base environmental solution exchange. Besides, PAN gel is a quite soft material like a real cell. Therefore it's been regarded as a most promising material as an artificial muscle. However, its matrix strength declines extremely unfortunately in basic solution. Its matrix should be improved so as not decline, otherwise it cannot be an artificial muscle for practical use. We applied a high temperature thermal treatment and a subsequent hydrolysis to PAN gel prepared through the nearly conventional processing method, and we investigated the time dependence of its length change ratio and generated force through the acid-base solution exchange, and its durability. Although its length change and force generation performances were impaired to some extent, we found an improvement of its matrix robustness and durability.