A Comprehensive Review of IPMC Applications Considering Hysteresis Creep Characteristics

Ion polymer metal composites (IPMCs) are typical ionic electroactive polymer materials, where the migration of internal ions and water molecules under external electrical or mechanical stimulation determines the material's macroscopic deformation and electrical response. Due to their low-voltage driving requirements, large bending displacement capabilities, and bidirectional actuation characteristics, IPMCs hold broad application potential in biomimetic robotics, medical devices, and wearable equipment. However, the hysteresis and creep characteristics, which are typical features of IPMC electroactive materials, are bottlenecks that limit their application in the fields of sensing and actuation. Therefore, considering the hysteresis and creep characteristics of IPMCs, the mechanisms and characterization models of IPMC hysteresis and creep are investigated, and a categorical review of the current state of IPMC applications in sensing and actuation fields is provided. The research prospects of IPMCs in co-driven actuation, micro-sensing arrays, and multimodal sensing are also discussed. This document serves as a reference for the latest cutting-edge research for IPMC researchers.