Intelligent Macromolecules for Smart Devices

The age of nanotechnology is upon us. Engineering at the molecular level is no longer a computer-generated curiosity and is beginning to affect the lives of everyone. Molecules which can respond to their environment and the smart machines we can build with them are and will continue to be a vital part of this 21st-century revolution. Liming Dai presents the latest work on many newly-discovered intelligent macromolecular systems and reviews their uses in nano-devices.

Intelligent Macromolecules for Smart Devices features:

- An accessible assessment of the properties and materials chemistry of all the major classes of intelligent macromolecules from optoelectronic biomacromolecules to dendrimers, artificial opals and carbon nanotubes

- In-depth analysis of various smart devices including a critique of the suitability of different molecules for building each type of device

- A concise compilation of the practical applications of intelligent macromolecules including sensors and actuators, polymer batteries, carbon-nanotube supercapacitors, novel lasing species and photovoltaic cells

As an exposition of cutting-edge research against a backdrop of comprehensive review, Intelligent Macromolecules for Smart Devices will be an essential addition to the bookshelf of academic and industrial researchers in nanotechnology. Graduate and senior undergraduate students looking to make their mark in this field of the future will also find it most instructive.

1 The Concepts of Intelligent Macromolecules and Smart Devices 1.1 Introduction 1.2 The Concept of Intelligent Macromolecules 1.2.1 Synthetic Macromolecules 1.2.1.1 Chain Structure and Classification 1.2.1.2 Synthesis 1.2.1.3 Chain Conformation 1.2.1.4 Macromolecular Structure in Solution 1.2.1.5 Primary, Secondary, Tertiary and Quaternary Structure 1.2.2 Biological Macromolecules 1.2.2.1 Structure of DNA 1.2.2.2 Structure of Proteins 1.2.2.3 Structure of Polysaccharides 1.2.3 Carbon Nanomaterials 1.2.4 Intelligent Macromolecules 1.3 The Concept of Smart Devices 1.3.1 Self-assembling and Micro-/Nano-fabrication 1.3.2 Functional Structures and Smart Devices 1.4 References Part I. Intelligent Macromolecules 2 Conducting Polymers 2.1 Introduction 2.2 Conjugated Conducting Polymers 2.2.1 Structure and Properties 2.2.1.1 - * Conjugation 2.2.1.2 Doping 2.2.2 Synthesis 2.2.2.1 Syntheses of Soluble Conjugated Polymers 2.2.2.2 Syntheses of Conjugated Polymer Films 2.3 Charge Transfer Polymers 2.3.1 Organic Charge Transfer Complexes 2.3.2 Polymeric Charge Transfer Complexes 2.3.3 Charge Transfer Between Fullerene C60 and Polymers 2.4 Ionically Conducting Polymers 2.4.1 Structural Features of Polymer Electrolytes 2.4.2 Transport Properties and Chain Dynamics 2.5 Conductively Filled Polymers 2.5.1 Polymers Filled with Conductive Solids 2.5.2 Polymers Filled with Conjugated Conducting Polymers 2.6 References 3 Stimuli-responsive Polymers 3.1 Introduction 3.2 Solvent-responsive Polymers 3.3 Temperature-responsive Polymers 3.3.1 Temperature-responsive Polymers in Solution 3.3.2 Temperature-responsive Polymers on Surface 3.4 pH-responsive Polymers 3.5 Ionically Responsive Polymers 3.6 Electrically Responsive Polymers 3.7 Photoelectrochromism 3.8 PhotoresponsivePolymers 3.9 Biochromism 3.10 Photomodulation of Enzyme Activity 3.11 References 4 Dendrimers and Fullerenes 4.1 Introduction 4.2 Dendrimers 4.2.1 Synthesis 4.2.1.1 Divergent Approach 4.2.1.2 Convergent-growth Approach 4.2.1.3 Other Miscellaneous Approaches 4.2.2 Structure 4.2.2.1 Dendrimers with a Metal Core 4.2.2.2 Dendrimers with a Hollow Core 4.2.2.3 Dendrimers with a Hydrophobic Interior and Hydrophilic Exterior Layer 4.2.2.4 Dendrimers with Guest Molecules Trapped in their Cavities 4.2.2.5 Dendrimers with Different Terminal Groups 4.3 Fullerene C60 4.3.1 Chemistry of C60 4.3.1.1 Addition Reactions 4.3.1.2 Dimerization and Polymerization 4.3.2 Polymeric Derivatives of C60 4.3.2.1 Fullerene Charm Bracelets 4.3.2.2 Fullerene Pearl Necklaces 4.3.2.3 Flagellenes 4.4 References 5 Carbon Nanotubes 5.1 Introduction 5.2 Structure 5.3 Property 5.4 Synthesis 5.4.1 Multi-wall Carbon Nanotubes (MWNTs) 5.4.2 Single-wall Carbon Nanotubes (SWNTs) 5.5 Purification 5.6 Microfabrication 5.6.1 Opening, Filling and Closing 5.6.2 Filling 5.6.3 Tip-closing 5.7 Chemical Modification 5.7.1 End-functionalization 5.7.1.1 Oxidation of Carbon Nanotubes 5.7.1.2 Covalent-Coupling via the Oxidized Nanotube Ends 5.7.2 Modification of Nanotube Outerwall 5.7.2.1 Sidewall Fluorination of Carbon Nanotubes 5.7.2.2 The Attachment of Dichlorocarbene to the Sidewall 5.7.2.3 Modification via 1,3-Dipolar Cycloaddition of Azomethine Ylides 5.7.2.4 The Reaction Between Aniline and Carbon Nanotubes 5.7.3 Functionalization of Carbon Nanotube Innerwall 5.7.4 Other Physical Chemistries of Carbon Nanotubes 5.7.4.1 Modification of Carbon Nanotubes via Mechanochemical Reactions 5.7.4.2 Modification of Carbon Nanotubes via Electrochemical Reactions 5.7.4.3 Modification of Carbon Nanotubes via Photochemical Reactions 5.8 Non-covalen