Pure Appl. Chem., 2006, Vol. 78, No. 4, pp. 777-781
http://dx.doi.org/10.1351/pac200678040777
Molecular springs and muscles: Progress toward augmented electromechanical actuation
Abstract:
The application of 3,3'-diphenyl-2'2-bithiophene as a helical scaffold capable of electrochemical polymerization to yield the corresponding polythiophene is reported. One unique feature of this monomer is its theoretically predicted (DFT) ability to mimic redox-stimulated contraction and expansion. This ability, coupled with traditional electromechanical actuation properties of bulk, redox-active conjugated polymers (CPs), yields a polymeric "molecular muscle" capable of both contraction and expansion.
Keywords
diphenylbithiophene; electromechanical actuation; helicity; molecular muscle; polythiophene.