Chemomechanical Systems Based on Redox Reactions

The alloxan and dialuric acid groups which arise from the oxidation and reduction processes and which constitute a redox system, were fixed to the gel. The reduction of an aqueous solution of alloxan to dialuric acid with the use of hydrogen gas was possible only in the presence of platinum. The alloxan present in the copolymer could not leave the gel and, therefore, the soluble redox system 2-methyl-naphthoquinone/ 2-methyI-naphthohydroquinone (vitamin K component) was added to the solution. The soluble redox system transferred the redox action to the fixed system in the interior of the gel. 

The strips showed a completely reversible change in length on reduction, the original length was reduced by about 20% on oxidation the strips dilated to the original length. 

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