Ionic polymer metal composites (IPMC) are soft polymeric smart materials having large displacement at low voltage in air and water. The polymeric electrolyte actuator consists of a thin and porous membrane and metal electrodes plated on both faces, in impregnation electro-plating method. The response and actuation of actuator are governed. Among many factors governing the activation and response of IPMC actuator, the surface electrode plays an important role. In this study, the well-designed modification of electrode surface was carried out in order to improve the chemical stability well as electromechanical characteristics of the IPMC actuator. We employed Ion Beam Assisted Deposition (IBAD) method to prepare the topologically homogeneous thin surface electrode. After roughing the surface of Nafion membrane in order to get a larger surface area, the IPMC was prepared by impregnation for electro-plating and re- coating on the surface through traditional chemical deposition, followed by an additional surface treatment with high conductive metals with IBAD. It was observed that our IPMC specimen shows the enhanced surface electrical properties as well as the improved actuation and response characteristics under applied electric field.

이온성고분자-금속복합체(Ionic Polymer Metal Composites, IPMC)는 전기활성 고분자이며, 낮은 구동전압에서도 큰 변위를 나타내는 유연한 스마트 소재(soft smart material)이다. 이온성고분자-금속복합체의 표면전극 제조는 일반적으로 화학적 환원방법(무전해 전기도금)에 의해 제조되고 있지만, 이러한 방법에서는 그 재료가 다공성 고분자 막으로 표면이 균일한 전극을 제조하기에 어려움이 있다. 본 연구에서는 전극의 표면 저항을 감소시켜 응답속도를 증가시킴과 동시에 낮은 전압에서 큰 변위를 낼 수 있는 IPMC 제조방법을 고안하여 수행하였다. 화학적 환원방법으로 이온고분자-금속 복합체를 형성시킨 후, 이온빔보조증착법(Ion Beam Assisted Deposition)으로 균질한 표면 전극 층을 형성시켜 화학적 특성을 개선하여 전기적 자극에 의한 구동반응 속도를 향상시킬 수 있는 구동체 제조방법을 제안하였다.