Issue 4, 2014

Nanoscopic polypyrrole AFM–SECM probes enabling force measurements under potential control

Abstract

Conductive polymers, and in particular polypyrrole, are frequently used as biomimetic interfaces facilitating growth and/or differentiation of cells and tissues. Hence, studying forces and local interactions between such polymer interfaces and cells at the nanoscale is of particular interest. Frequently, such force interactions are not directly accessible with high spatial resolution. Consequently, we have developed nanoscopic polypyrrole electrodes, which are integrated in AFM-SECM probes. Bifunctional AFM-SECM probes were modified via ion beam-induced deposition resulting in pyramidal conductive Pt–C composite electrodes. These nanoscopic electrodes then enabled localized polypyrrole deposition, thus resulting in polymer-modified AFM probes with a well-defined geometry. Furthermore, such probes may be reversibly switched from an insulating to a conductive state. In addition, the hydrophilicity of such polymer tips is dependent on the dopant, and hence, on the oxidation state. Force studies applying different tip potentials were performed at plasma-treated glass surfaces providing localized information on the associated force interactions, which are dependent on the applied potential and the dopant.

Graphical abstract: Nanoscopic polypyrrole AFM–SECM probes enabling force measurements under potential control

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
23 Sep 2013
Accepted
01 Dec 2013
First published
05 Dec 2013

Nanoscale, 2014,6, 2255-2260

Nanoscopic polypyrrole AFM–SECM probes enabling force measurements under potential control

P. Knittel, M. J. Higgins and C. Kranz, Nanoscale, 2014, 6, 2255 DOI: 10.1039/C3NR05086F

To request permission to reproduce material from this article, please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

If you are an author contributing to an RSC publication, you do not need to request permission provided correct acknowledgement is given.

If you are the author of this article, you do not need to request permission to reproduce figures and diagrams provided correct acknowledgement is given. If you want to reproduce the whole article in a third-party publication (excluding your thesis/dissertation for which permission is not required) please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements