A Potentiostatic/Galvanostatic Study and Theoretical Description of Polypyrrole Film Electrodes: A Model of the Intracellular Matrix of Ectothermic Muscle Cells

Abstract

Polypyrrole film electrodes are composed of macromolecular electrochemical machines, ions and water. They are considered here as a model of the intracellular matrix of ectothermic muscle cells. The oxidation/reduction responses to the working temperature in aqueous solutions were investigated herein by potential and current steps. Under potentiostatic conditions, rising temperatures stimulate deeper conformational movements of the polymeric chains leading to the exchange of more ions increasing the consumed charge, with the effect that the reaction charge responds and senses the working temperature. Under galvanostatic conditions and higher environmental thermal energies the material potential evolves at lower values during reactions consuming lower electrical energies. At any reaction time, both the consumed reaction energy and the material potential sense the working thermal conditions. Reactions involving molecular machines sense and respond to the working temperature. Similarities with energetic consumptions and sensing responses from muscles in cold‐blooded animals are discussed. A theoretical description is proposed.

The Energy Consumed by Electrochemical Molecular Machines as Self‐Sensor of the Reaction Conditions: Origin of Sensing Nervous Pulses and Asymmetry in Biological Functions

“… Evolution of the specific reversible charge consumed during the reversible oxidation/reduction of a pPy/Pt in different concentrations of NaCl aqueous solutions at room temperature submitted to: a) potential cycles between −0.35 and 0.25 V at a scan rate of 90 mV s −1 Reproduced with permission . Copyright 2017, Elsevier, and b) potential square waves of ±0.1 V kept for 6 s each Reproduced with permission . Copyright 2018, IOP Science.…”

“…During the reversible oxidation/reduction of the polymer film, under constant extension of the reaction by consumption of constant anodic and cathodic charges using consecutive square current waves (constant anodic and constant cathodic currents each applied for the same constant time), the material anodic and cathodic potentials evolve at decreasing values under rising temperatures, or under rising electrolyte concentrations,, and at increasing values under increasing driving currents. Higher available energy (whatever the origin) requires the consumption of lower electrochemical energy during the reaction (Equation 5) to attain the same reaction extension.…”

“…d) Evolution of the specific reaction energy consumed when the film is submitted to the above‐described potential sweeps (reproduced with permission . Copyright 2017, Elsevier), e) potential square waves (reproduced with permission . Copyright 2017, Wiley) and f) current square waves at different cell temperatures, submerged in a 0.1 M NaCl aqueous solution.…”

“…Copyright 2017, Wiley) and f) current square waves at different cell temperatures, submerged in a 0.1 M NaCl aqueous solution. Reproduced with permission . Copyright 2017, Wiley.…”

“…Using basic electrochemical, polymeric and mechanical principles a theoretical description of sensing and tactile artificial muscles (artificial proprioception) has been attained ,,,,. The way is open for a theoretical (physical‐chemical) description of bioreplicating chemical‐driven properties and functions.…”