Abstract
The targeted bipolar electrodeposition of polypyrrole was carried out onto the tips of hydrophilic carbon nanopipes. By aligning an external electric field relative to the nanopipes, the deposition of polypyrrole onto selected ends could be achieved without physically contacting the nanopipes. After deposition, carbon nanopipes with both partially open and fully blocked tips were found. Experiments conducted in an environmental scanning electron microscope showed that water enters the nanopipes through the tip with polypyrrole due to the higher hydrophilicity of the polymer compared to the tube walls. As a result, it was possible to guide the entry of water from a specific end of the tube and fill the tube from the selected side. Condensation experiments conducted on nanopipes with polypyrrole on both tips shows the difference in hydrophilicity of the nanopipes compared to the polypyrrole. The ability to selectively control the site of condensation and uptake of fluid by carbon nanotubes or nanopipes is very important for the development of nanotube-based nanofluidic devices.
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Acknowledgements
This work was supported by the National Science Foundation under NIRT Grant Number CTS-0235234 and NSF CAREER award CHE-9875855. Purchase of the ESEM was supported by NSF Grant Number BES-0216343.
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Babu, S., Ndungu, P., Bradley, JC. et al. Guiding water into carbon nanopipes with the aid of bipolar electrochemistry. Microfluid Nanofluid 1, 284–288 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10404-005-0037-8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10404-005-0037-8