Highly reversible and multi-stage cantilever actuation driven by polyelectrolyte brushes.
Microcantilever bending can be reversibly driven by conformational changes of phosphate containing polyelectrolyte brushes when exposed to different pH or salt solutions. The deflection of the cantilevers allows a detailed analysis of the properties of polymer brushes, while these systems are also a first step toward polymer-based nanoactuators.
Zhou
Feng
F
The Nanoscience Centre, University of Cambridge, UK.
Shu
Wenmiao
W
Welland
Mark E
ME
Huck
Wilhelm T S
WT