Fabrication of all-organic dielectric elastomer films based on polyaniline (PANI)/expandable microspheres/polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) under electric field assistance

Abstract Dielectric elastomers are a class of electroactive polymers widely used in energy storage, flexible electronics, and soft robotics. These materials require a high dielectric constant and low elastic modulus to achieve optimal performance. In this study, we developed all-organic dielectric composite films composed of polyaniline (PANI), expandable microspheres, and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) under the assistance of an external electric field. The oriented PANI particles self-assemble into a conductive network within the PDMS matrix, enhancing the dielectric constant, while the expandable microspheres lower dielectric loss and reduce modulus. At a PANI content of 2.5 wt% and 100 Hz, the composite film achieved a dielectric constant of 30, dielectric loss below 1, and excellent insulation properties. Additionally, the modulus was reduced to 1.0 MPa, and the strain reached 0.66 % under 10 kV/mm, demonstrating significant electromechanical deformation. This study highlights a new strategy to enhance dielectric elastomer performance under low electric fields, offering insights into the design of next-generation soft actuators and energy-efficient electronic devices.