Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 21, 2026

Antifouling Self-assembled Monolayers on Microelectrodes for Patterning Biomolecules
Published on: August 25, 2009
Probing a Reversible Cationic Switch on a Mixed Self-Assembled Monolayer Using Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy
Ximing Huang1, Jingchao Chen1, Chunxia Yan1
1Beijing Key Laboratory of Photoelectronic and Electrophotonic Conversion Materials, Key Laboratory of Cluster Science (Ministry of Education), School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering , Beijing Institute of Technology , Beijing 102488 , P. R. China.
Researchers developed a switchable biomimetic membrane using a mixed self-assembled monolayer (SAM). This model membrane controls cation permeability, mimicking cell membrane functions by responding to pH changes.
Area of Science:
- Surface Chemistry
- Biomimetic Materials
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Biomimetic membranes are crucial for understanding cell membrane permeability.
- Developing artificial membranes with controllable properties is an active research area.
Purpose of the Study:
- To create a switchable biomimetic membrane model using a mixed self-assembled monolayer (SAM).
- To investigate the pH-dependent switchable properties of the SAM for cation permeability control.
Main Methods:
- Construction of a mixed 11-mercaptoundecanoic acid/1-undecanethiol (MUA/UT) SAM on a surface.
- Characterization of SAM properties including surface coverage, wetting, and pKa.
- Monitoring switchable cation permeability using scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM).
Main Results:
- The MUA/UT SAM demonstrated effective switchable properties for cations.
- The switch mechanism was found to be pH-dependent, controlled by the dissociation of terminal carboxyl groups.
- The SAM exhibited excellent repeatability and applicability.
Conclusions:
- The developed mixed SAM serves as a functional model for switchable biomembranes.
- This system offers insights into the permeability regulation mechanisms of cytomembranes.
- The pH-responsive switchable SAM has potential applications in sensing and controlled transport.
More Related Videos
08:31Probing Surface Electrochemical Activity of Nanomaterials using a Hybrid Atomic Force Microscope-Scanning Electrochemical Microscope AFM-SECM
Published on: February 10, 2021
13:58Probing C84-embedded Si Substrate Using Scanning Probe Microscopy and Molecular Dynamics
Published on: September 28, 2016
Related Concept Videos
What is an Electrochemical Gradient?
The chemical gradient relies on differences in the abundance of a substance on the outside versus the inside of a cell and flows from areas of high to low ion concentration. In contrast, the electrical gradient revolves around an...
Scanning Electron Microscopy
Fundamental Principles
Accelerated...
Switching of BJT
Cut-off Mode ("Off" State): In this state, both the emitter-base and collector-base junctions are...
Leaky Scanning
Mixing Concrete
Mixing Time