Electrosynthesis and characterization of polymer films on silicon substrates for applications in micromanipulation

Abstract

Aniline and p-phenylenediamine were electrochemically oxidized in aqueous solutions by potentiodynamic deposition using Cyclic Voltammetry (CV) technique Resulting polymer films electrodeposited on Si substrates were identified by infrared spectroscopy as polyaniline and poly(p-phenylenediamine) films. Cyclic voltammograms demonstrated that poly(p-phenylenediamine) films are non conductive contrary to polyaniline films which are conductive and electropolymerized through an autocatalytic mechanism. The morphological features (thickness, roughness, morphology) of the electrodeposited polymer films were determined using Profilometry, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). Adhesion force properties of polymer films were also studied by means of force-distance curves obtained by Atomic Force Microscopy. The influence of some experimental parameters (potential scan speed, number of potential scans) was also studied. Thus, it was shown that the potential scan speed strongly influence both morphological features and force adhesion, when the influence of the number of potential scans was less important. Under optimal conditions, it was possible to obtain very adhesive polymer films that could be useful for the micromanipulation of Si objects.2

Electrochemical Preparation of Photosystem I–Polyaniline Composite Films for Biohybrid Solar Energy Conversion

“…The terminal thickness achieved for this system is attributed to several factors including the high monomer and surfactant concentrations in the polymerization solution. Alternatively, the adoption of potentiometric polymerization methods should allow for thicker PAni films, as previously demonstrated in several studies using a variety of electrode materials. , It is also worth noting that the time associated with PAni–PSI film preparation is significantly shorter than the methods, which utilized a vacuum-assisted “drop-cast” method requiring at least 15 min of deposition time per ∼400 nm layer of protein …”

“…Alternatively, the adoption of potentiometric polymerization methods should allow for thicker PAni films, as previously demonstrated in several studies using a variety of electrode materials. 30,31 It is also worth noting that the time associated with PAni−PSI film preparation is significantly shorter than the methods, which utilized a vacuum-assisted "drop-cast" method requiring at least 15 min of deposition time per ∼400 nm layer of protein. 24 After analyzing the data for film thickness with polymerization time and photocurrent output with polymerization time, it becomes apparent that the photocurrent generation of these composites follows closely with the film growth mechanism of the PAni.…”

μ-MIP: Molecularly Imprinted Polymer-Modified Microelectrodes for the Ultrasensitive Quantification of GenX (HFPO-DA) in River Water

“…This differs from previously reported scan rates of 50 mV s –1 for enhancing polymer adhesion (Figure S9). The electropolymerization parameters were adapted from previous work. ,− Very positive potentials (≥1 V vs Ag/AgCl) have been demonstrated to ensure continuous electropolymerization for the o -PD polymer, which is nonconductive . HFPO-DA is not electroactive within the electropolymerization potential window used in this work .…”

Molecular dynamics models of tapping mode atomic force microscopy

“…The probe is also subjected to the adhesion force of the sample as it detaches from the sample (negative force, opposite to the z-direction). When the tip is separated from the sample, the adhesive force of the sample to the probe (negative force, in the negative z-direction) comes into action [10]. During the entire time the probe taps the sample and the positive force pushes the probe back to the equilibrium position, while the negative force prevents the probe from returning to the equilibrium position.…”