HYDROPHOBIC/HYDROPHILIC MOLECULAR SWITCH, DEVICE CONTAINING SAID SWITCH AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING SURFACE HYDROPHOBICITY

摘要

The switch comprises: a solid substrate having, anchored on the surface thereof, functionalized molecules of polychlorotriphenylmethyl (PTM) in a radical or anion oxidation state, such that said molecules form a hydrophobic surface, a hydrophilic surface or a surface with hydrophobic areas and hydrophilic areas; and means for reversibly changing the oxidation state from radical to anion or vice versa locally on the substrate. The invention also relates to the memory device containing said switch, as well as to a module for conditioning the signal and a module for processing same. The switch and the device containing the switch are particularly suitable for use in the field of microfluidics, as biomolecule dispensers or biosensors, in the production of tags or markers or in the field of self-cleaning surfaces.