Electro-chemo-mechanical deformation of polypyrrole doped with dodecylbenzenesulfonate (PPy/DES), deposited electrochemically on chitosan and polyvinylidene fluoride (PVdF) substrates made conductive by chemically deposited poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) are examined. The electronic conductivity and structural properties (by Raman and FTIR spectroscopy) of the chemically deposited PEDOT on chitosan film and PVdF membrane are characterized. The linear actuation response of PPy/DBS films on the two substrates in tetrabutylammonium trifluoromethanesulfonate in propylene carbonate electrolyte is investigated under isotonic (constant force) conditions. The goal of this study was to obtain novel linear actuators with mechanically stable tri-layer design and controllable strain, and to compare the effect of two completely different substrate materials on the properties of the conducting polymer coatings. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.