Abstract
High-k electret gels composed of copper (II) phthalocyanine nanoparticles (npCuPc) and plasticized polyvinyl chloride (pPVC) have been developed for the fabrication of smart, reliable vibrotactile actuator devices. These High-k electret gels were prepared by uniform distribution of npCuPc into pPVC in a stoichiometric ratio using a high-power ultrasonic probe, followed by a straightforward solution casting protocol. The interactions between npCuPc and pPVC in the hybrid high-k electret gel composites were analyzed in detail using various physicochemical characterization techniques. Additionally, these high-k electrets are used as dielectric interfaces for the fabrication of vibrotactile actuator devices, the npCuPc/pPVC hybrid composite electret gels demonstrated a low leakage current (∼1.75 µA), indicating efficient electric power utilization during actuation. The npCuPc-pPVC-3 gel demonstrated an ultimate dielectric constant of ∼343.0 at 1.0 Hz, which likely contributed to its excellent actuation performance and long-term durability. Moreover, the actuators made from npCuPc-pPVC-3 gels showed remarkable robustness, maintaining performance across three consecutive days of continuous use. Notably, its actuation performance remained highly stable, with only a slight decline from 0.88 g to 0.871 g, emphasizing its impressive reliability and endurance.