TY - GEN
T1 - A pH-responsive poly(acrylic acid) nanoscale actuator
AU - Saaem, I.
AU - Libera, M.
AU - Tian, J.
PY - 2007
Y1 - 2007
N2 - In this report, we present the development of a nanoscale actuator that takes advantage of the properties of poly(Acrylic Acid) [PAA] hydrogels as well as an aqueous fluid environment to realize control of height change. We used spatially-resolved and focused low-energy electron beams to irradiate dry 40 nm thick PAA films. After developing in high pH buffer, non-irradiated films dissolved and irradiated polymer remained bonded to the substrate. We show that these gels translate to actuators that undergo height changes as a function of pH. Since the carboxyl groups are deprotonated at high pH, we studied the amount and activity of carboxyl groups in the hydrogels using infrared spectroscopy. Using atomic force microscopy we then studied how these hydrogels respond to aqueous environment, where change was photo-triggered using a photoacid generator.
AB - In this report, we present the development of a nanoscale actuator that takes advantage of the properties of poly(Acrylic Acid) [PAA] hydrogels as well as an aqueous fluid environment to realize control of height change. We used spatially-resolved and focused low-energy electron beams to irradiate dry 40 nm thick PAA films. After developing in high pH buffer, non-irradiated films dissolved and irradiated polymer remained bonded to the substrate. We show that these gels translate to actuators that undergo height changes as a function of pH. Since the carboxyl groups are deprotonated at high pH, we studied the amount and activity of carboxyl groups in the hydrogels using infrared spectroscopy. Using atomic force microscopy we then studied how these hydrogels respond to aqueous environment, where change was photo-triggered using a photoacid generator.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=48749127846&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=48749127846&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1109/NEBC.2007.4413365
DO - 10.1109/NEBC.2007.4413365
M3 - Conference contribution
AN - SCOPUS:48749127846
SN - 1424410339
SN - 9781424410330
T3 - Proceedings of the IEEE Annual Northeast Bioengineering Conference, NEBEC
SP - 236
EP - 237
BT - 33rd Annual Northeast Bioengineering Conference - Engineering Innovations in Life Sciences and Healthcare, NEBC
T2 - 33rd Annual Northeast Bioengineering Conference, NEBC
Y2 - 10 March 2007 through 11 March 2007
ER -