title: Freestanding polyelectrolyte films as sensors for osmotic pressure.
abstract: Freestanding ultrathin polyelectrolyte-multilayer membranes, transferred to topographically structured polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), are used as mechanical sensors. Due to the membranes' semipermeability, high-molecular-weight molecules can be either entrapped inside them or excluded, thus generating an osmotic pressure. This leads to a deformation. We investigate the deformation as a function of the osmotic pressure and present an analytical theory that fully describes the data. Thus, osmotic pressures can be determined quantitatively. The individual osmotic-sensitive elements have only microscopic dimensions, and arrays can be easily produced.
authors.affiliation: Max-Planck-Institut für Kolloid und Grenzflächenforschung Wissenschaftspark Golm, 14424 Potsdam, Germany.
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nolte
authors.forename: Ingo
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Dönch
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fery
mesh_terms: D002627:Chemistry, Physical / Q000379:methods; D004129:Dimethylpolysiloxanes / Q000737:chemistry*; D004548:Elasticity; D004573:Electrolytes / Q000737:chemistry*; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal / Q000379:methods; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D009997:Osmotic Pressure; D010539:Permeability; D012825:Silicon / Q000737:chemistry*; D012828:Silicones / Q000737:chemistry*; D012997:Solvents / Q000737:chemistry; D013499:Surface Properties; D013997:Time Factors; D014783:Viscosity
chemical_list: D004129:Dimethylpolysiloxanes; D004573:Electrolytes; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D012828:Silicones; D012997:Solvents; C013830:baysilon; D012825:Silicon