Electrochemical Controlling of Double Microgel Layer Formation on an Electrode Surface via an Electrosensitive Inclusion Complex

Abstract

In this study, we demonstrate the formation of a self-assembled microgel double layer on an electrode surface, utilizing the ability to form electro-responsive, reversible inclusion complexes between microgels modified with ferrocene and β-cyclodextrin in these systems. The bottom layer was based on microgels containing ferrocene moieties and derivatives of cysteine. The presence of the amino acid derivative enabled the formation of the well-packed monolayer on the gold surface through chemisorption, while ferrocene was responsible for electroactivity. The addition of βCD-modified microgel led to the formation of the second monolayer, ultimately creating the double layer. Our investigation focuses on the electrochemically controlled formation and deformation processes of the double microgel layer.