Method for making electrostrictive composite

Abstract

A method for making an electrostrictive composite is provided. A number of carbon nanotubes, a number of reinforcing particles, and a polymer precursor are provided. The carbon nanotubes, the reinforcing particles, and the polymer precursor are mixed to obtain a mixture. The polymer precursor in the mixture is polymerized and cured.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for making an electrostrictive composite, the method comprising the following steps of:
 (a) providing a plurality of carbon nanotubes, a plurality of reinforcing particles and a polymer precursor;   (b) mixing the carbon nanotubes, the reinforcing particles and the polymer precursor to obtain a mixture; and   (c) polymerizing and curing the polymer precursor in the mixture.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein step (b) comprises the substeps of:
 (b1) dissolving the polymer precursor into a volatilizable solvent to obtain a solution of polymer precursor; and   (b2) adding the carbon nanotubes and the reinforcing particles into the solution of polymer precursor to obtain the mixture.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising a step (e) of removing the volatilizable solvent, before step (c). 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising a step (d) of ultrasonically treating the mixture, after step (b). 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the polymer precursor is polymerized with an initiator to form the electrostrictive composite. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising a step (f) of keeping the electrostrictive composite in a vacuum for a period of time, after step (c). 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising a step (g) of pressing the electrostrictive composite, after step (f). 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising a step (h) of forming a flexible polymer layer on one surface of the electrostrictive composite, after step (g). 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a weight percentage of the carbon nanotubes and reinforcing particles in the electrostrictive composite is less than 20%. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a weight ratio of the carbon nanotubes to the reinforcing particles is greater than or equal to 1:1. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a weight percentage of the reinforcing particles in the electrostrictive composite ranges from about 1% to about 10%. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the reinforcing particles are made of a material selected from the group consisting of ceramic, metal, metal oxide, metal nitride, glass, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein an effective diameter of the reinforcing particles ranges from about 1 nanometer to about 10 micrometers. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a weight percentage of the carbon nanotubes in the electrostrictive composite ranges from about 0.1% to about 10%. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the carbon nanotubes are selected from the group consisting of single-walled carbon nanotubes, double-walled carbon nanotubes, multi-walled carbon nanotubes, and combinations thereof.