Switching the electrochemical impedance of low-density self-assembled monolayers

Because the active remodeling of biointerfaces is a paramount feature of nature, it is very likely that future, advanced biomaterials will be required to mimic at least certain aspects of the dynamic properties of natural interfaces. This need has fueled a quest for model surfaces that can undergo reversible switching upon application of external stimuli. Herein, we report the synthesis and characterization of a model system for studying reversibly switching surfaces based on low-density monolayers of mercaptohexadecanoic acid and mercaptoundecanoic acid. These monolayers were assembled on both gold and silver electrodes. When conducting electrochemical impedance spectroscopy under physiological conditions, these monolayers exhibit significant changes in their electrochemical barrier properties upon application of electrical DC potentials below +400 mV with respect to a standard calomel electrode. We further found the impedance switching to be reversible under physiological conditions. Moreover, the impedance can be fine-tuned by changing the magnitude of the applied electrical potential. Before and during impedance switching at pH 7.4 in aqueous buffer solutions, the low-density monolayers showed good stability according to grazing angle infrared spectroscopy data. We anticipate low-density monolayers to be potentially useful model surfaces when designing active biointerfaces for cell-based studies or rechargeable biosensors.