Macromolecular Control of Structural Organization in Thin Molecular Films: Implications for Chemical and Optical Switching
Abstract
This program was concerned with the development of new ultrathin membranes that respond to well-defined chemical and physical signals. Such membranes are proposed to be useful in applications such as chemical sensing and controlled chemical delivery. The mechanism by which these membranes respond to signals involves changes in the conformation and solvation of surface-bound polyelectrolyte chains. Because polyelectrolytes can be rendered sensitive to many different environmental parameters (e.g., pH, light, ionic strength, etc.) this approach provides a new route to molecular films subject to switching in response to many different (and useful) stimuli. To date, we have prepared membrane systems switchable with pH, temperature, light, glucose concentration, ionic strength, and electrochemical reduction.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 31, 1991
- Accession Number
- ADA244287
Entities
People
- David A. Tirrell
Organizations
- University of Massachusetts Amherst