A novel ion-exchange polymer-metal composite (IPMC) actuator is fabricated by sandwiching sulfonated fluorene blocked polysulfone (SDPF-b-PSU) between two Pt nanograin sheets. With increased concentration of chlorosulfonic acid, the SDPF-b-PSU film with more sulfonic groups exhibits strong ion exchange capacity, high Li+ ion conductivity, and ordered phase separation, which may contain an increased number of cations and possess larger and better interconnected inner channels for ion migration, thus providing the power to produce large force and power outputs. The SDPF-b-PSU film also exhibits enhanced mechanical performance and water uptake when compared to the pure Nafion film, providing a strong, hydrated matrix to support IPMC functions. At the driving voltage of 4 V, the SDPF-b-PSU actuator exhibits a strong force output which is 11 folds higher than that of the pure Nafion actuator.
