Actuation of self-assembled two-component rodlike nanostructures.

Lim, Jong Kuk; Ciszek, Jacob W; Hue, Fengwei; Jang, Jae-Won; Hwang, Seongpil; Mirkin, Chad A · Nano Lett · 2008

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

A model for predicting the effects of stimuli-induced contraction of the polypyrrole ends of two-segment gold-polypyrrole nanorods on their assembly into curved superstructures is presented. The model and experimental data presented here show that small changes (ca. 3%) in the diameter of the polypyrrole segment of each rod will induce dramatic changes (up to 20%) in the radii of the resulting superstructures, providing a convenient means for actuating their opening and closing. We show experimentally that this actuation can be affected via humidity, temperature, and light.