Nanoscale memory provided by thermoreversible stochastically structured polymer aggregates on mica.
Stimuli-responsive polymers are used in a large variety of applications due to the controlled manner in which their physical properties can be reversibly altered. In this study, we demonstrate the thermoreversible structuring of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)-based polymer. By temperature-controlled atomic force microscopy, we demonstrate that polymer aggregates form on mica above the polymer lower critical solution temperature and disperse below it, and in so doing, display positional "memory" in that the nanodomains are retained in the same positions and with the same shapes during repeated cooling/heating cycles. Such positional "memory" may be useful for multiple applications in nano-microscale devices.
Pelah
Avishay
A
Department of Molecular Biology, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, D-37070 Göttingen, Germany. apelah@gwdg.de
Ludueña
Silvio J
SJ
Jares-Erijman
Elizabeth A
EA
Szleifer
Igal
I
Pietrasanta
Lía I
LI
Jovin
Thomas M
TM
D000178:Acrylamides / Q000737:chemistry*; D000180:Acrylic Resins; D000538:Aluminum Silicates / Q000737:chemistry*; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D013499:Surface Properties; D013696:Temperature
D000178:Acrylamides; D000180:Acrylic Resins; D000538:Aluminum Silicates; D011108:Polymers; C052970:poly-N-isopropylacrylamide; C011934:mica