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Nanoscale actuation of electrokinetic flows on thermoreversible surfaces
Author(s) -
Paumier Guillaume,
Sudor Jan,
Gue AnneMarie,
Vinet Françoise,
Li Meng,
Chabal Yves J.,
Estève Alain,
DjafariRouhani Mehdi
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
electrophoresis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.666
H-Index - 158
eISSN - 1522-2683
pISSN - 0173-0835
DOI - 10.1002/elps.200700396
Subject(s) - electrokinetic phenomena , polymer , materials science , nanoscopic scale , actuator , nanotechnology , microfluidics , phase (matter) , coupling (piping) , polarity (international relations) , chemical physics , composite material , chemistry , computer science , biochemistry , organic chemistry , artificial intelligence , cell
We report on a novel approach for controlling nanohydrodynamic properties at the solid–liquid interfaces through the use of stimuli‐responding polymer coatings. The end‐tethered polymers undergo a phase separation upon external activation. The reversible change in the thickness and polarity of the grafted polymers yields in a dynamic control of the surface‐generated, electrokinetic phenomena. Nonactivated, swollen polymers are thicker than the electrical double layer (EDL) and prohibit the development of an EOF even on charged surfaces. On the other hand, activated polymer chains shrink and become thinner than the EDL and allow for the EOF to build up unimpeded. We show here that, for given experimental conditions, the EOF velocity on the shrunken surface is 35 times greater than the one on the nonactivated surface. Furthermore, we reveal that coupling of such surfaces with dense arrays of thermal actuators developed in our laboratory can lead to novel micro‐ and nanofluidic devices.