Porous polycarbene-bearing membrane actuator for ultrasensitive weak-acid detection and real-time chemical reaction monitoring

Jian-Ke Sun, Weiyi Zhang, Ryan Guterman, Hui-Juan Lin and Jiayin Yuan ()
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Jian-Ke Sun: Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces
Weiyi Zhang: Clarkson University
Ryan Guterman: Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces
Hui-Juan Lin: Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces
Jiayin Yuan: Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces

Nature Communications, 2018, vol. 9, issue 1, 1-8

Abstract: Abstract Soft actuators with integration of ultrasensitivity and capability of simultaneous interaction with multiple stimuli through an entire event ask for a high level of structure complexity, adaptability, and/or multi-responsiveness, which is a great challenge. Here, we develop a porous polycarbene-bearing membrane actuator built up from ionic complexation between a poly(ionic liquid) and trimesic acid (TA). The actuator features two concurrent structure gradients, i.e., an electrostatic complexation (EC) degree and a density distribution of a carbene-NH3 adduct (CNA) along the membrane cross-section. The membrane actuator performs the highest sensitivity among the state-of-the-art soft proton actuators toward acetic acid at 10−6 mol L−1 (M) level in aqueous media. Through competing actuation of the two gradients, it is capable of monitoring an entire process of proton-involved chemical reactions that comprise multiple stimuli and operational steps. The present achievement constitutes a significant step toward real-life application of soft actuators in chemical sensing and reaction technology.

Date: 2018
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-03938-x

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