Formation, structure, and reactivity of amino-terminated organic films on silicon substrates

Amino-functionalized organic films were prepared by self-assembling 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) on silicon wafers in either anhydrous toluene or phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) for varied deposition times. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and ellipsometry have shown that the structure and thickness of APTES films are governed by the deposition time and reaction solution. Deposition from an anhydrous toluene solution produces APTES films ranging from 10 to 144 A in thickness, depending on the reaction time. FTIR spectra indicate that film growth initially proceeds by adsorption of APTES to the silicon surface followed by siloxane condensation, and after an extended period of time APTES molecules accumulate on the underlying APTES film by either covalent or noncovalent interactions. In contrast, spectroscopically indistinguishable APTES films in thickness ranging from 8 to 13 A were formed when deposition was conducted in aqueous solutions. Measured water contact angles indicate that APTES films deposited in aqueous solutions are more hydrophilic compared to those prepared in toluene solutions. Fluorescence measurements revealed that APTES films prepared in toluene solutions contain more reactive surface amino groups by ca. 3 to 10 times than those prepared in aqueous solutions for the identical reaction time.     

Characterization of N-isopropyl acrylamide/acrylic acid grafted polypropylene nonwoven fabric developed by radiation-induced graft polymerization

Radiation-induced graft copolymerization of N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm) and acrylic acid (AA) mixture was carried out on polypropylene nonwoven fabric to develop a thermosensitive material and has been found to affect the thermal and physical characteristics of fabric. The grafted fabrics with different monomer ratios were characterized by thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD), contact angle and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Results of FTIR clearly indicated that poly(acrylic acid) and poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide) were successfully grafted onto the membrane surface. TGA results showed that the thermal stability of PP fabric increased after grafting of NIPAAm/AA. The crystallinity values from DSC and XRD were found to decrease with increase in degree of grafting because of the addition of grafted chains within the noncrystalline region. The decrease in contact angles of the grafted fabric with an increase of the degree of grafting shows that PNIPAAm/PAA exists as the hydrophilic component. The increase in surface roughness after grafting was observed by AFM.     

Grafting of vanadyl acetylacetonate onto organo-hexagonal mesoporous silica and catalytic activity in the allylic epoxidation of geraniol

Vanadyl(IV) acetylacetonate ([VO(acac)₂]) was grafted onto a hexagonal mesoporous silica (HMS) using three different methodologies: method A – direct complex immobilisation; method B – functionalisation of the HMS with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) followed by the complex immobilisation; and method C – treatment of the APTES functionalised support prepared by method B with trimethylethoxysilane (TMS) to deactivate eventually unreacted surface silanol groups, followed by complex grafting.     

Au-nanoparticles grafted on plasma treated PE

Polyethylene (PE) surface was treated with Ar plasma. Activated surface was grafted from methanol solution of 1,2-ethanedithiol. Then the sample was immersed into freshly prepared colloid solution of Au-nanoparticles. Finally Au layer was sputtered on the samples. Properties of the modified PE were studied using various methods: AFM, EPR, RBS and nanoindentation. It was shown that the plasma treatment results in degradation of polymer chain (AFM) and creation of free radicals by EPR. After grafting with dithiol, the concentration of free radicals declines. The presence of Au and S in the surface layer after the coating with Au-nanoparticles was proved by RBS. Plasma treatment changes PE surface morphology and increases surface roughness, too. Another significant change in surface morphology and roughness was observed after deposition of Au-nanoparticles. Nanoindentation measurements show that the grafting with Au-nanoparticles increases adhesion of subsequently sputtered Au layer.     

Analytical investigation of the chemical reactivity and stability of aminopropyl-grafted silica in aqueous medium

Various samples of aminopropyl-functionalized silica (APS) have been prepared by grafting an organosilane precursor 3-aminopropyl-triethoxysilane (APTES) onto the surface of silica gel. The amine group content of the materials has been adjusted by varying the amount of APTES in the reaction medium (toluene). The grafted APS solids have been characterized with using several analytical techniques (N₂ adsorption, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, infrared spectrometry) to determine their physico-chemical properties. Their reactivity in aqueous solutions was studied by acid-base titration, via protonation of the amine groups, and by way of complexation of these groups by Hg^II species. APS stability in aqueous medium was investigated at various pH and as a function of time, by the quantitative analysis of soluble Si- or amine-containing species that have been leached in solution upon degradation of APS. The chemical stability was found to increase when decreasing pH below the pK_a value corresponding to the RNH₃⁺/RNH₂ couple, but very low pH values were necessary to get long-term stability because of the high local concentration of the amine groups in the APS materials. Adsorption of mercury(II) ions on APS was also performed to confirm the long-term stability of the grafted solid in acidic medium. Relationship between solution pH and APS stability was discussed. For sake of comparison, the stability of APS in ethanol and that of mercaptopropyl-grafted silica (MPS) in water have been briefly considered and discussed with respect to practical applications of silica-based organic–inorganic hybrids, e.g., in separation science or in the field of electrochemical sensors.     

N,N-二乙基丙烯酰胺与丙烯酸在聚丙烯薄膜表面光接枝制备二元接枝膜及其温度、pH值敏感特性研究

以二苯甲酮为引发剂,聚丙烯薄膜(CPP)为基材,通过紫外光接枝的方法制备了具有温度和pH值双重敏感特性的聚N,N-二乙基丙烯酰胺(PNDEA)与聚丙烯酸(PAA)二元接枝膜.在PNDEA一次接枝膜的制备过程中,引发剂与单体配比相同时,本体接枝方法的接枝速率在反应初期明显高于溶液接枝方法;采用溶液法时,增大引发剂与单体配比等可提高接枝率.用本体法所制得的PNDEA一次膜光活化接枝PAA时接枝速率较溶液法高,并且能够实现较高的PAA接枝率.用红外光谱(FTIR)、X射线光电子能谱化学分析(ESCA)对接枝层组成的表征结果证实了二元接枝层的存在.在不同温度下,PNDEA一次接枝膜的FTIR谱图中酰胺Ⅰ带特征吸收峰发生位移表明它具有温度敏感特性.用扫描电子显微镜(SEM)对PNDEA接枝层表征结果表明,用不同接枝手段所制备的接枝膜具有不同的表面形貌.通过吸水率测定研究了二元接枝膜的温度及pH值敏感特性.     

End‐grafting copolymers of styrene and 4‐vinylpyridine on an interacting solid surface

Copolymers of styrene and 4‐vinylpyridine with a styrene fraction f varying from 1 to 0 were grafted onto a silicon substrate in the melt. The grafting reaction and the stability of the grafted chains were investigated by Fourier transform infrared and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The thickness and surface morphology of the grafted copolymer layers were characterized with ellipsometry and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The copolymer chains were successfully grafted to the surface of the silicon substrate by a reaction between the hydroxyl groups of the nitroxide moiety at the end of the copolymers and the silanol groups on the surface of the silicon wafer. A measurement of the thickness of the grafted copolymer layers showed that the ratio of grafted‐layer thickness to the unperturbed chain radius of gyration decreased with the increasing fraction of 4‐vinylpyridine in the copolymer; this indicated that the grafted layer was strongly attracted to the substrate. In addition, an accelerated grafting process was observed at grafting times ranging from 48 to 72 h for pure poly(4‐vinylpyridine) and copolymers with f values of 0.3 and 0.5. AFM observation revealed that the grafted layers densely and homogeneously covered the silicon substrate. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 43: 1332‐1343, 2005     

微接触印刷技术转移Au纳米粒子及氧化石墨烯复合图案及其性质研究

通过改良的“Hummers方法”制得氧化石墨烯,利用聚二甲基硅氧烷（PDMS）弹性印章的微接触印刷技术,以Au膜和氧化石墨烯溶液为“墨水”,通过二次印章转移,分别将Au纳米粒子和氧化石墨烯（Graphene Oxide,GO）转移至修饰了(3-氨基丙基)三乙氧基硅烷（APTES）的ITO基底（APTES/ITO）表面. 利用场发射扫描电子显微镜（FE-SEM）、原子力显微镜（AFM）等表征图案,结果表明转移的AuNPs和GO组成的复合图案均匀,致密性较好. 利用表面电势显微镜（Surface Potential Microscope,SEPM,KFM）测定了各部分的表面电势,以APTES/ITO基底表面为表面电势零点,各部分表面电势大小为：APTES/ITO > GO > Au（0,-11.6,-44.2 mV）.     

Grafting of nanoporous alumina membranes and films with organic acids

In this study, direct surface grafting of nanoporous alumina membranes and glass‐supported alumina films was carried out with three different fluorinated organic acids: trifluoroacetic acid, perfluoropentanoic acid and 2,3,4,5,6‐pentafluorobenzoic acid. Elemental surface composition and chemical environment of alumina were investigated using X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Alumina surfaces grafted with fluoro‐organic acids exhibited increased hydrophobic properties compared to ungrafted surfaces when measured using goniometry and atomic force microscopy (AFM). This work describes the evidence for surface chemical modification of alumina using direct reaction with organic acids. An AFM study of the adsorption of the immunoglobulin G (IgG) molecules on the fluoro‐organic‐acid‐grafted surfaces is reported. The results show that an ordered arrangement of immunoglobulin G structures with in‐filling of pores could be achieved only on the more hydrophobic fluoro‐organic‐acid‐grafted alumina membranes. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Surface characterizations of poly(ethylene terephthalate) film modified by a carbohydrate-bearing photoreactive azide group

Grafting of a carbohydrate UV-reactive molecule, the β-d-galactopyranosyl-(1-4)-1-N-[2-(4-azidophenyl amino)-ethylamino]-1-deoxy-d-glucitol (AzPhLac), has been achieved on poly(ethylene terephthalate) film. The dependence of surface density and yield of grafted AzPhLac have been studied versus the number of moles of UV-treated AzPhLac via the deposit of a drop of solution with a known volume and concentration. A nearly complete grafting of initial AzPhLac molecules was reached for the lowest concentration and lowest volume of solution deposit conditions. Grafting density values in the range of 29-181 nmol/cm² confirm the polymeric nature of the grafted layer. FTIR-ATR demonstrated the heterogeneity in thickness of the grafted surface due to the drop-deposit method and solvent evaporation process. AFM (imaging) allowed us to find a correlation between grafting density and rms roughness. Water-contact angle and AFM (contact mode) gave further evidence of the hydrophilic nature of the extreme surface.     

MMA/DVB emulsion surface graft polymerization initiated by UV light

Methyl methacrylate/1,2-divinylbenzene (MMA/DVB) in an opaque emulsion were successfully grafted onto the surface of polymeric substrate under the irradiation of UV light with benzophenone (BP) as a photoinitiator that was previously coated on the substrate surface. Monomer conversion, grafting efficiency, and grafting yields were determined by the gravimetric method. ATR-IR, AFM, and TEM were used to characterize the surface composition, to observe the topography of the grafted substrates, and to view inter-film colloid particles formed by cross-linking. The results reveal that, with the opaque MMA/DVB emulsion system and CPP film as substrate, the monomer conversion is in the range of 15-55%, the grafting efficiency is about 80%, the grafting yield reaches 5%, and the thickness of the graft layer can be controlled in the range 0.09-1.5 microm. Images of AFM show that the graft layer is piled up by nanoparticles (about 30-50 nm in diameter), which are linked together and tied to the substrate surface with covalent bonds. A possible model of surface graft polymerization including surface initiating, nucleation, and shish kebab growing is put forward to interpreting the above results.     

Analysis of the grafting process of PVP on a silicon surface by AFM and contact angle

Silicon wafers have been silylated with VTMS (vinyltrimethoxysilane) and hydrolyzed. Subsequently, PVP (polyvinyl pyrrolidone) was grafted onto the silylated surface by two different techniques: the grafting-through (GT) and the grafting-onto techniques (GO). The measurement of contact angles along with the topography analysis by atomic force microscopy (AFM) has allowed monitoring the different stages of the process and the temporal evolution of polymer grafting. The results have demonstrated the feasibility of both methods of grafting but have shown that the GT method gives a higher density of polymer-grafted chains. The AFM technique in adequate liquid environments has been proven to permit the surface density of chains to be distinguished by both methods and to estimate the length of the resulting PVP chains.     

AFM imaging of immobilized fibronectin: does the surface conjugation scheme affect the protein orientation/conformation?

Covalent grafting of biomolecules could potentially improve the biocompatibility of materials. However, these molecules have to be grafted in an active conformation to play their biological roles. The present work aims at verifying if the surface conjugation scheme of fibronectin (FN) affects the protein orientation/conformation and activity. FN was grafted onto plasma-treated fused silica using two different crosslinkers, glutaric anhydride (GA) or sulfosuccinimidyl 4-(p-maleimidophenyl)butyrate (SMPB). Fused silica was chosen as a model surface material because it presents a roughness well below the dimensions of FN, therefore allowing AFM analyses with appropriate depth resolution. Cell adhesion assays were performed to evaluate the bioactivity of grafted FN. Cell adhesion was found to be higher on GA-FN than on SMPB-FN. Since FN-radiolabeling assays allowed us to rule out a surface concentration effect (approximately 80 ng/cm2 of FN on both crosslinkers), it was hypothesized that FN adopted a more active conformation when grafted via GA. In this context, the FN conformation on both crosslinkers was investigated through AFM and contact angle analyses. Before FN grafting, GA- and SMPB-modified surfaces had a similar water contact angle, topography, and roughness. However, water contact angles of GA-FN and SMPB-FN surfaces clearly show differences in surface hydrophilicity, therefore indicating a dependence of protein organization toward the conjugation strategy. Furthermore, AFM results demonstrated that surface topography and roughness of both FN-conjugated surfaces were significantly different. Distribution analysis of FN height and diameter confirmed this observation as the protein dimensions were significantly larger on GA than SMPB. This study confirmed that the covalent immobilization scheme of biomolecules influences their conformation and, hence, their activity. Consequently, selecting the appropriate conjugation strategy is of paramount importance in retaining molecule bioactivity.     

Elaboration of nano-structured grafted polymeric surface

The surface grafting of multi-polymeric materials can be achieved by grafting as components such as polymers poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) and/or surfactant molecules (hexatrimethylammonium bromide, polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate). The chosen grafting techniques, i.e. plasma activation followed by coating, allow a large spectrum of functional groups that can be inserted on the surface controlling the surface properties like adhesion, wettability and biocompatibility. The grafted polypropylene surfaces were characterized by contact angle analyses, XPS and AFM analyses. The influence of He plasma activation, of the coating parameters such as concentrations of the various reactive agents are discussed in terms of hydrophilic character, chemical composition and morphologic surface heterogeneity. The plasma pre-activation was shown inevitable for a permanent polymeric grafting. PNIPAM was grafted alone or with a mixture of the surfactant molecules. Depending on the individual proportion of each component, the grafted surfaces are shown homogeneous or composed of small domains of one component leading to a nano-structuration of the grafted surface.     

光接枝法制备新型pH开关核孔膜

用表面光接枝方法制备了具有pH开关特性的丙烯酸接枝PET核孔膜 .XPS、SEM和AFM的表征结果证明 ,接枝膜具有非对称结构 ,丙烯酸接枝层主要在膜的向光侧表面 ,膜背侧和膜孔内没有变化 .膜孔周围的接枝链在湿态下沉入膜孔 ,接枝层对膜孔顶部产生封盖 .接枝链的体积随环境pH值的不同而变化 ,从而控制接枝膜的滤过特性 .在低接枝程度时 ,接枝链体积变化对膜孔径的影响小 ,不具有pH开关特性 ,但是接枝提高了膜的亲水性 ,通量得到提高 ;接枝程度达到一定程度时 (如 0 5 %) ,膜孔径受接枝链体积变化的影响显著 ,接枝膜表现出pH开关效应 .在pH大于 5时 ,接枝膜通量恒定 ,基本不受溶液pH值影响 .当pH值小于 4时 ,膜通量随溶液酸性的增加迅速升高 .接枝膜的开关幅度JpH =2 JpH =6 8,随接枝程度的增加而增加 .膜的通量和开关幅度可以通过接枝程度来调节     

Cell adhesion and surface properties of polystyrene surfaces grafted with poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)

Cell adhesion plays a key role in various aspects of biological and medical sciences. In this study, poly(Nisopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) was grafted on polystyrene surfaces using different solvents under UV radiation. Moreover, the relation between surface roughness and cell adhesion were evaluated by gravimetric, SEM, AFM, contact angle measurement and cellular analyses. The gravimetric analysis clearly indicated an increase in the grafting by adding 10% methanol to water. The study of surface topography by AFM images showed an increase in the surface roughness and as a result of which, a decrease in wettablity was observed. At 37 °C, epithelial cells were well attached and proliferated on the grafted surfaces, while these cells were spontaneously detached below 32 °C in the absence of any enzymes. Moreover, MTT assay and SEM images indicated good cell viability and an increase in cell adhesion caused by the roughness increase. The results of this study reveal the great potential of PNIPAM-grafted polystyrene for being used in the biomedical fields such as drug delivery systems, tissue engineering and cell separation.     

Surface initiated ring-opening polymerization of l-proline N-carboxy anhydride from single and multi walled carbon nanotubes

Ring-opening surface initiated polymerization of l-proline N-carboxyanhydride was performed from amine functionalized single (SWNTs) and multi walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs). The primary amines were grafted on the surfaces via a well-studied Diels–Alder cycloaddition. The initiator attachment helped the debundling of carbon nanotubes as shown by atomic force microscopy (AFM) studies where only small aggregates were observed. Thermogravimetric analysis revealed high wt% of grafted polyproline on the carbon nanotubes surface after the ring-opening polymerization. AFM studies showed a rather uniform layer of grafted polyproline from both MWNTs and SWNTs. The grafting of PLP on the surface was also verified by FTIR and Raman spectroscopy as well as ¹H NMR in CDCl₃/d-TFA. The polyproline grafted carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were readily dissolved in organic solvents in contrast to the insoluble pristine and amine-functionalized CNTs.     

Grafting epoxy-modified hydrophilic polymers onto poly(dimethylsiloxane) microfluidic chip to resist nonspecific protein adsorption

In order to achieve a simple covalent hydrophilic polymer coating on poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) microfluidic chip, epoxy modified hydrophilic polymers were synthesized in aqueous solution with a persulfate radical initiation system, and crosslinked onto PDMS pretreated by oxygen plasma and silanized with 3-aminopropyl-triethoxysilanes (APTES). Glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) was copolymerized with acrylamide (poly(AAM-co-GMA)) or dimethylacrylamide (poly(DAM-co-GMA)), and graft polymerized with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP-g-GMA) or polyvinylalcohol (PVA-g-GMA). The epoxy groups in the polymers were determined by UV spectra after derivation with benzylamine. Reflection absorption infrared spectroscopy (RAIRS) confirmed covalent grafting of GMA-modified polymers onto PDMS surface. Electroosmotic flow (EOF) in the polymer grafted microchannel was strongly suppressed within the range pH 3-11. Surface adsorption of lysozyme and bovine serum albumin (BSA) was reduced to less than 10% relative to that on the native PDMS surface. On the GMA-modified polymer coated PDMS microchip, basic proteins, peptides, and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) denatured proteins were separated successfully.     

Quantitative determination of surface energy using atomic force microscopy: the case of hydrophobic/hydrophobic contact and hydrophilic/hydrophilic contact

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) has been used to determine the surface energy of chemically modified surfaces at a local scale. In order to achieve this aim, it was necessary to graft both the AFM tip and the substrate with the same chemical functional groups. Two different organothiols terminated either by hydrophilic or hydrophobic chemical functionalities were used. Grafting process classically reported shows that after UV/ozone treatment for 30 min, the tip is coated by thermal deposition with 4‐5‐nm‐thick titanium layer followed by a 30‐nm‐thick gold layer. Finally, the tip is grafted by organothiols. The thickness of the layer deposited on the tip is of the same order of magnitude as the tip radius. To avoid the use of Ti and to decrease the thickness of the gold layer, we have developed a new way of grafting by using organic molecules like (3‐mercaptopropyl)triethoxysilane (MPS) as a linkage agent. Then this way of grafting was checked. Finally, AFM force‐distance curves, between grafted tips and chemically modified surface, were carried out in contact mode. Calibration of the various parts of the apparatus and especially of the cantilever (spring constant and tip radius) is of major importance to reach quantitative data. Finally, by applying a suitable theory of contact, we were able to determine the surface energy of our system. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Amino‐Containing Ultrafine Organosilica‐Nanoparticle‐Modified Au Electrode for the Determination of Cu(II) Ions

Using 3‐Aminopropyltriethoxysilane(APTES) as a single silica source, an amino‐rich ultrafine organosilica‐nanoparticle‐modified Au electrode was fabricated, following the formation of (3‐mercaptopropyl)‐trimethoxysilane (MPTS) monolayer on Au surface (MPTS/Au). With cetyltrimethylammonium bromide as an additive, APTES‐based gel particles on the electrode have a narrow particle size distribution of 4–7 nm and “crystal‐like” structure. AFM and electrochemical characterization confirmed the successful grafting of APTES nanoparticles on MPTS/Au. The APTES/MPTS/Au electrode is highly sensitive for the detection of copper(II) ions with a detection limit as low as 1.6×10^?12 mol L^?1 (S/N>3) by square wave voltammetry. The current is linear to copper(II) concentration between 1.6×10^?12 and 6.25×10^?10 mol L^?1.