Interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) have been developed for many years leading to
materials with controlled properties. When an electronic conducting polymer (ECP) is incorporated
into an IPN, this one becomes a conducting IPN (CIPN). The synthetic pathway ensures a non
homogeneous dispersion of the ECP through the IPN thickness of the material. The system is thus
similar to a layered one with the advantage that the intimate combination of the three polymers
needs no adhesive interface. The last step in making the CIPN into an actuator is to ensure the ionic
conductivity by incorporation of an ionic salt. The highest ionic conductivity through the IPN matrix
is necessary in order to ensure the best actuation. The chosen salt is an ionic liquid, i.e. 1-ethyl-3-
methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (EMImTFSI). Based on IPN architectures
electrochemical actuators have been designed and actuation in open air has been characterized.
Electrochemical Characterization of Redox Probes Confined in 3D Conducting Polymer Networks
