Single molecule force spectroscopy of smart poly(ferrocenylsilane) macromolecules: Towards highly controlled redox-driven single chain motors

Zou, Shan and Korczagin, Igor and Hempenius, Mark A. and Schönherr, Holger and Vancso, G. Julius (2006) Single molecule force spectroscopy of smart poly(ferrocenylsilane) macromolecules: Towards highly controlled redox-driven single chain motors. Polymer, 47 (7). pp. 2483-2492. ISSN 0032-3861

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Abstract:	We investigated various stimuli-responsive poly(ferrocenylsilane) (PFS) polymers as model systems for the realization of molecular motors powered by a redox process. Covalently end-grafted PFS on gold, as well as PFS homopolymers and block copolymers in ultrathin films, were studied by AFM-based single molecule force spectroscopy (SMFS). Surface confined PFS macromolecules were chemically oxidized by addition of tetracyanoethylene or were completely and reversibly oxidized (and reduced) in situ by applying an electrochemical potential. Chemical oxidation was successful only for the block copolymers. The entropic elasticity of neutral PFS chains (Kuhn length IK0.40 nm) was found to be larger than that of oxidized PFS chains (IK0.65 nm) in the lower force regime. The elasticities could be reversibly controlled in situ by adjusting the applied potential in electrochemical SMFS experiments. For a single PFS macromolecule (DP=80) operating cycle, a work output and an efficiency of 3.4×10−19 J and 5%, respectively, were estimated based on the single chain experimental data.
Item Type:	Article
Copyright:	© 2006 Elsevier Ltd
Faculty:	Science and Technology (TNW)
Research Group:	Materials Science and Technology of Polymers (MTP)
Link to this item:	http://purl.utwente.nl/publications/74281
Official URL:	http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.polymer.2005.12.091
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