COLL 117 |
| Serban F. Peteu1, Sudhakar Madhusoodhanan2, Alexander S. Lee1, Mrinal Mahapatro1, Mark E. Thompson2, Bruce E. Koel2, and Aristides A. G. Requicha1. (1) Department of Computer Science/Laboratory for Molecular Robotics, University of Southern California, 941 W. 37th Place, Los Angeles, CA 90089-0781, (2) Department of Chemistry, University of Southern California, 810/840 Downey Way, Los Angeles, CA 90089 |
| Polypyrrole nanocylinders were synthesized by polymerization in nanoporous membranes, by methods similar to those of Martin* and others. The monomer and oxidizer diffused through the membrane’s pores, which acted as nanomolds for the nascent polymer. Our reaction conditions were optimized to ensure that the polymerization front occurred inside the nanopores. The nanocylinders were isolated free from the membrane by repeated reflux in organic solvent. Spectroscopy, optical and electron microscopy were employed to ascertain the nanocylinders dimensions and morphology. Individual tubule and rod diameters ranged from 1 micrometer to 100 nanometers. Nanoscale functional characterization was investigated with an atomic force microscope, in a liquid cell, to correlate nano-dimensional changes with the electrochemical cycling of reduced and oxidized nanofibrils. This work is of interest for nanoactuation, and it will potentially enable the fabrication of actuators for synthetic nanorobots. *Martin C. R. Acc. Chem. Res. 1995, 28, 61-68. |
|
Nanoscience and Nanotechnology
8:30 AM-11:45 AM, Monday, March 29, 2004 Marriott -- Grand Ballroom J, Oral
Division of Colloid and Surface Chemistry |