Diverse electromechanical properties of dielectric elastomers processed in acidic–alkaline environments

• The impacts of pH levels and processing durations on dielectric elastomers (DEs) are investigated. • Electromechanical properties, including static, dynamic, resonant, and breakdown performances, are explored. • A comprehensive analysis is conducted by combining experimental measurements with theoretical modeling. This study establishes how chemical processing, specifically pH level and processing duration, governs the electromechanical behavior of dielectric elastomer (DE) membranes. By mapping properties in the pH-time plane, we quantify trends in static strain, dynamic response, and electrical robustness. Acidic processing yields larger actuation strains but lower breakdown margins and shorter lifetimes, whereas near-neutral to alkaline processing produces smaller strains alongside higher breakdown fields and longer service life. A unified physics-based framework links pH-dependent dielectric constant and Gent moduli to actuation performance and, via a Stark-Garton-type criterion, predicts breakdown trends consistent with measurements. Overall, the work provides an integrated pH-time property map spanning performance and reliability and distills it into actionable guidance: use acidic conditions when large deformation is paramount, or near-neutral to alkaline conditions when breakdown margin and lifetime are the priority. This is relevant for DE devices operating in aqueous or chemically active environments such as underwater actuation and environmental sensing.