A theoretical prediction of the ions distribution in an amphoteric polymergel

In order to obtain the optimum design for the realization of a high perform ance gel actuator, the ion distribution profiles in the gel are obtained th eoretically by solving the Poisson-Bolzmann equation. Regardless of the typ es of ions (mobile cation, immobile cation, mobile anion and immobile anion ), ion concentration is found to change abruptly at the electrode-gel inter face. Based on this result. we found that gel could be deformed only in thi s interface region. Then we concluded that: (i) the use of an amphoteric ge l rather than a cationic or an anionic gel; (ii) applying high voltage to g el; and (iii) the import of the electrode-gel interface as many as possible are promising strategies for the design of practical use gel actuator. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.