| Summary: | Thermoplastic
elastomer gels based on styrenic triblock copolymers have been increasingly
used as dielectric elastomers, particularly due to the possibility of tailoring
their properties based on their composition. However, these materials have a
low relative permittivity, primarily attributed to their low dipole moment.
Consequently, this characteristic poses a challenge for their application as
dielectric elastomers. In this work, we aim to assess the impact of adding
kraft lignin on the dielectric properties of thermoplastic elastomer gels.
Additionally, we investigate the effects of kraft lignin dispersion on their
viscoelastic and mechanical properties. For this purpose, we used two types of
kraft lignin: acidic and alkaline (ac-KL and alk-KL). The alk-KL demonstrated
higher dispersibility in the polymer, mainly attributed to the deprotonation of
its structure during its production process. As a result, the dielectric
elastomer with alk-KL showed a 50% increase in relative permittivity compared
to the pristine polymer without compromising its mechanical and viscoelastic
properties. Moreover, these samples demonstrated a greater actuation strain
capability in response to an electrical stimulus. Thus, the incorporation of
lignin demonstrates promise as a valuable reinforcement in the development of
advanced dielectric materials, enhancing their electro-mechanical performance.
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