Nonlinear Statistical Mechanics Drives Intrinsic Electrostriction and Volumetric Torque in Polymer Networks

TL;DR

This paper reveals how nonlinear statistical mechanics explains intrinsic electrostriction and volumetric torque in polymer networks, advancing understanding of electroelastic behavior for soft actuators.

Contribution

It introduces a nonlinear statistical mechanics framework that captures the coupling between deformation and dielectric response in polymer networks, surpassing the Gaussian chain approximation.

Findings

Electrostriction arises from electric field-induced symmetry breaking in elastomers.

Deformation can induce volumetric torque through dielectric response asymmetry.

The mechanisms enable design of high-efficiency soft actuators and bioinspired locomotion.

Abstract

Statistical mechanics is an important tool for understanding polymer electroelasticity because the elasticity of polymers is primarily due to entropy. However, a common approach for the statistical mechanics of polymer chains, the Gaussian chain approximation, misses key physics. By considering the nonlinearities of the problem, we show a strong coupling between the deformation of a polymer chain and its dielectric response; that is, its net dipole. When chains with this coupling are cross-linked in an elastomer network and an electric field is applied, the field breaks the symmetry of the elastomer's elastic properties, and, combined with electrostatic torque and incompressibility, leads to intrinsic electrostriction. Conversely, deformation can break the symmetry of the dielectric response leading to volumetric torque (i.e., a couple stress or torque per unit volume) and asymmetric actuation. Both phenomena have important implications for designing high-efficiency soft actuators and soft electroactive materials; and the presence of mechanisms for volumetric torque, in particular, can be used to develop higher degree of freedom actuators and to achieve bioinspired locomotion.