A high-performance dielectric elastomer consisting of bio-based polyester elastomer and titanium dioxide powder

A bio-based polyester elastomer containing many polar groups was combined with high-dielectric-constant titanium dioxide (TiO₂) powder to form a dielectric elastomer composite for the first time. The effects of the titanium dioxide filler on the elastic modulus, dielectric properties, and electromechanical responses of the polyester dielectric elastomer were studied. We found that the dielectric constant of composites increased with increasing content of TiO₂. Nevertheless, the elastic modulus of the composites did not increase with increasing content of TiO₂, and the polyester elastomer filled with 6 vol. % of TiO₂ exhibited the lowest elastic modulus, which led to a high prestrain-free actuated strain of 11.8% at a low electric field of just 9.8 kV/mm. The actuated strain is better than other dielectric elastomers reported in the literature. The high electromechanical performance was attributed to the increase in dielectric constant and decrease in elastic modulus of the composite from those of the pure polyester elastomer. The decrease in elastic modulus was explained in detail by the competing effects of crosslink density and filler network. In addition, a dramatic increase in dielectric constant of the composite was observed and discussed through several dielectric mixing rules. Finally, the polyester elastomer and titanium dioxide are both environment-friendly, making possible the composite to be used in biological and medical devices.