Fabrication of polypyrrole nanowires

An artificial muscle composed of electroactive nanowires or nanofibers would compare favorably to its biological counterpart in terms of generated force and speed, while devices based on discrete nanoactuators could perform functions similar to those of motor proteins in biological cells. A template synthesis method for producing polypyrrole nanowires is examined. Conductivity and electrochemical properties of resulting nanowires are evaluated, showing promise for future use as nanoactuators. Template synthesis is then extended to allow fabrication of polypyrrole nanowires directly on a planar substrate such as semiconductor wafer, enabling potential integration with semiconductor or microfluidic devices.

[1]  E. Smela.  Microfabrication of PPy microactuators and other conjugated polymer devices , 1999 .

[2]  Xiaohong Li,et al.  Synthesis and characterization of conducting copolymer nanofibrils of pyrrole and 3-methylthiophene using the template-synthesis method , 2002 .

[3]  C. R. Martin,et al.  Template synthesis of electronically conductive polymers - A new route for achieving higher electronic conductivities , 1993 .

[4]  Yu-Ming Lin,et al.  Formation of Thick Porous Anodic Alumina Films and Nanowire Arrays on Silicon Wafers and Glass , 2003 .

[5]  David T. Crouse,et al.  Self-ordered pore structure of anodized aluminum on silicon and pattern transfer , 2000 .

[6]  G. Láng,et al.  On the electrochemical applications of the bending beam method , 2000 .

[7]  R. Baughman.  Conducting polymer artificial muscles , 1996 .

[8]  Charles R. Martin,et al.  Template Synthesis of Electronically Conductive Polymer Nanostructures , 1995 .

[9]  C. R. Martin,et al.  Template Synthesis of Electronically Conductive Polymer Nanostructures , 1995 .

[10]  Li Rong-gui.  Artificial Muscles Based on Conducting Polymers , 2004 .

[11]  Sehee Lee,et al.  Conducting polymer nanotube and nanowire synthesized by using nanoporous template: Synthesis, characteristics, and applications , 2003 .

[12]  Edwin Jager,et al.  Conjugated-Polymer Micro- and Milliactuators for Biological Applications , 2002 .

[13]  C. R. Martin,et al.  Electrochemical investigations of electronically conductive polymers. 4. Controlling the supermolecular structure allows charge transport rates to be enhanced , 1990 .

[14]  Charles R. Martin,et al.  Electrochemical investigations of electronically conductive polymers VII. Charge transport in lightly doped polypyrrole , 1992 .

[15]  Qibing Pei,et al.  Electrochemical applications of the bending beam method. 2. Electroshrinking and slow relaxation in polypyrrole , 1993 .

[16]  Rupert Huber,et al.  TEMPLATE SYNTHESIS OF NANOWIRES IN POROUS POLYCARBONATE MEMBRANES: ELECTROCHEMISTRY AND MORPHOLOGY , 1997 .

[17]  S. Demoustier‐Champagne,et al.  Effect of Electrolyte Concentration and Nature on the Morphology and the Electrical Properties of Electropolymerized Polypyrrole Nanotubules , 1999 .

[18]  R. Stephenson.  A and V , 1962, The British journal of ophthalmology.

[19]  T. F. Otero,et al.  Artificial muscles based on conducting polymers , 1995 .