000			04252ntm a2200337 i 4500
003			MY-KuUP
005			20261007093202.0
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008			261007t20262026my a|||fr|||| 000 0 eng d
020			_aTHE0010821 (Local) _qHardback
040			_aUMPSA _beng _cUMPSA _erda
090			_aFSTI .F37 2026 r Thesis
100	1		_aAhmad Farimin Ahmad Osman, _eauthor.
245	1	0	_aFabrication and characterization of pdms dielectric elastomers with hard filler (TiO2) and soft fillers (silicone oil and glycerol) / _cAhmad Farimin Ahmad Osman
264		1	_aKuantan, Pahang : _bUMPSA, _c2026
264		4	_c© 2026
300			_axiv, 142 pages : _billustrations ; _c30 cm. + _e1 CD-ROM.
336			_2rdacontent _atext
337			_2rdamedia _aunmediated
338			_2rdacarrier _avolume
347			_2rda _atext file _bPDF
500			_aFaculty of Industrial Sciences and Technology
502			_aThesis (Doctor of Philosophy) -- Universiti Malaysia Pahang - 2026
504			_aInclude bibliographical reference
520	3		_aDielectric elastomers have emerged as promising materials for actuator applications due to their high energy density, flexibility and rapid response. However, their practical implementation is hindered by the inherent trade-off between high relative permittivity and mechanical integrity, where increasing permittivity often results in reduced breakdown strength and increased stiffness. This study aims to overcome these limitations by developing and evaluating three hybrid dielectric elastomer systems: single layer hybrid system (SLH), bilayer hybrid system (BLH) and agar hybrid system (AGH). This study proposes that combining hard (TiO2) and soft (glycerol oil/high-permittivity silicone oil) fillers through different structural architectures provides an effective strategy for improving the electromechanical performance of PDMS by balancing dielectric permittivity, mechanical properties and electrical breakdown strength. The objectives of this study are: (i) to fabricate and characterize a baseline single layer hybrid (SLH) PDMS system using TiO2 and glycerol oil/high-permittivity silicone oil as fillers; (ii) to fabricate and characterize two enhanced filled PDMS systems, namely bilayer hybrid (BLH) and agar hybrid (AGH), by layering TiO2 with glycerol oil/high-permittivity silicone oil and by incorporating agar as a stabilizing matrix; and (iii) to elucidate the synergistic electromechanical effects arising from TiO2–glycerol oil/high-permittivity silicone oil interactions across the SLH, BLH and AGH systems. Characterization was conducted using Scanning Electron Microscopy for morphological analysis, Universal Testing Machine) for mechanical properties, impedance analyzer for dielectric permittivity and High Voltage Breakdown Tester for breakdown strength assessment. The results demonstrate that BLH and AGH hybridization significantly enhance the dielectric and mechanical properties of PDMS compared to SLH. The BLH system provides superior tunability of mechanical and electrical parameters with heterogeneous bilayer configurations (T/G and T/HPSO) achieving higher breakdown strength (109–152 V/μm) and improved electromechanical stability. Meanwhile, the AGH system that utilizes agar as a stabilizing matrix, enhances long-term mechanical integrity by effectively encapsulating fillers and preventing migration achieving the highest Figure of Merit (FOM = 2.28) among all tested samples. These findings confirm that hybridization of fillers through BLH and AGH optimizes the balance between permittivity, mechanical flexibility and electrical breakdown resistance. This study introduces a novel approach to designing high-performance dielectric elastomers to partially overcome the trade-offs between permittivity and mechanical stability. The findings provide a framework for optimizing PDMS-based dielectric elastomers, making them promising candidates for advanced actuator applications in soft robotics, bioelectronics and energy harvesting systems.
610	2	0	_aFaculty of Industrial Sciences and Technology _xDissertations
650		0	_aUniversities and colleges _xDissertations
650		0	_aTheses _xDissertations
942			_2lcc _cTHESIS
999			_c105682 _d105688