Patent ID: 6762210
Filing Date: 2004-07-13
Classification: B25J,H02N

Abstract:
A process for producing a polymeric actuator comprising an ion-exchange resin product and metal electrodes which are formed on the surface of the ion-exchange resin product and are insulated from each other, said actuator operating as an actuator by applying a potential difference between the metal electrodes when the ion-exchange resin product is in the water-containing state to allow the ion-exchange resin product to undergo bending or deformation,wherein the following steps (i) to (iii) are repeatedly conducted to form the metal electrodes ranging from the surface of the ion-exchange resin product to the inside thereof; (i) a step of allowing the ion-exchange resin product to adsorb a metal complex in an aqueous solution (adsorption step), (ii) a step of reducing the metal complex adsorbed on the ion-exchange resin product by a reducing agent to deposit a metal on the surface of the ion-exchange resin product (deposition step), and (iii) a step of washing the ion-exchange resin product having the deposited metal (washing step), such that the deposition of the metal is conducted on the surface of the ion-exchange resin product and further in the resin product; and the reduction of the medal complex forming the electrodes is carried out by immersing the ion-exchange resin product adsorbing the metal complex thereon in an aqueous solution containing a reducing agent.