Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
IPMNC sample size of 12
×
51 mm at different manufacturing stages. The following
can be clearly seen:
Bare Nafion has insignificant current response under an applied voltage.
Repetitive platinum reduction improves the current responses.
Surface electroplating by gold further improves the current responses.
Figure 3.27(a) contains an SEM cross-section (top) of the sample and its surface
(bottom), respectively.
Second, the most significant aspect of having the porous electrode for the IPMNC
is that it allows an effective water transport and internal circulation mechanism within
the electrode region so as to create effective strains (porous nature of the compliant
electrodes) (Shahinpoor and Kim, 2001b, 2002a, 2002b). However, it can also cause
water leakage in the form of ion-driven water molecules gushing out of the porous
electrode surface. Figure 3.27(b) depicts schematically such a phenomenon. This
phenomenon is always visible and observable in any experiment involving wet
IPMNC under the influence of an electric field across it. This prevents the generated
200
µ
m
pt
Au
Penetration edge
pt
20
µ
m
FIGURE 3.27
(a)
An SEM cross-section (top) of the sample and its surface (bottom), respec-
tively. The cross-sectional view shows two platinum penetration leading edges and gold
surface electrodes. The surface is fairly uniform but shows minor imperfect spots.
