ABSTRACT
Switchability is a key mechanism living systems use to respond to an external stimulus in a short period of time. The switching capability relies on a reversible conformational change of the biomacromolecules that enhances the ability of living systems to adapt to the extreme environmental conditions. This chapter presents the use of 1D polymer nanofibers exhibiting elastic memory that enables rapid switching. This approach emerges as a new alternative for the utilization of smart and switchable biointerfaces. Mimicking the switchability properties of a living system is an emerging research topic in the field of bioelectronics since the demand in sensing requires smart biointerfaces. Polymers consist of covalently bonded repeating units that cause certain rotational constraints, thereby providing shape-resistant memory or elasticity. Polymer fibers/nanofibers are processed by four techniques: coaxial flow systems, wet-spinning, melt-spinning, and electrospinning. Switchable polymer-solvent interactions hold great promise for gas sensors. Poly(vinylidene fluoride)-carbon nanotube composites were validated for acetone and toluene sensing.
