Dielectric Electroactive Polymers: Main Types, Characteristics and Functional Response

Dielectric electroactive polymers, due to their distinct functional characteristics, provide a flexible framework for developing cutting-edge robotics, sensing, energy harvesting, and biomedical systems. This chapter describes the main families of dielectric electroactive polymers, ranging from high performance synthetic polymers, such as poly(vinylidene fluoride), PVDF, to the more sustainable and bio-based polymers. Furthermore, the main characteristics and functional responses of the materials are provided and compared. Representative applications of these materials are also presented. Increasing uses for these smart materials are predicted based on further research and development.