Controlled Growth of Stable β-Glycine via Inkjet Printing

Glycine is a well-known polymorphic amino acid extensively used as a precursor for proteins and a drug for treating various neurological diseases. Recently, a giant piezoelectric response and ferroelectricity found in its β-phase have prompted intensive research aimed at controlled growth of this polymorph and at creating biocompatible piezoelectric sensors and actuators able to work in direct contact with a biological environment. In this work, a standard inkjet printing method was used to deposit stable isolated crystals of β-glycine in predefined locations without using special conditions such as nanoconfinement. Narrow size distribution, notable piezoelectric response, and 100% phase control of the grown crystals allow using simple inkjet technology for the creation of various sensor and actuator architectures required for the next generation of flexible bioelectronic devices.