| AVS 55th International Symposium & Exhibition | |
| Biological, Organic, and Soft Materials Focus Topic | Friday Sessions |
| Session BO+SS+AS-FrM |
| Session: | Self Assembled Ultrathin Organic Interfaces |
| Presenter: | C. Vahlberg, Linkoping University, Sweden |
| Authors: | C. Vahlberg, Linkoping University, Sweden L. Johansson, Linkoping University, Sweden K. Uvdal, Linkoping University, Sweden |
| Correspondent: | Click to Email |
Our aim is to design well organized self-assembled monolayers as model systems for biological recognition such as the selective ligand - receptor interaction. These systems are important for future applications within nanoscience and the development of specific biosensors. A phenylboronic ester and a phenylboronic acid are used for surface functionalisation. Both are linked to an alkanethiol through the formation of an amide bond. Formation of a self-assembled monolayer on gold surfaces is done by common thiol chemistry. The molecular orientation and chemical composition of the two molecular systems were investigated using X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), Infrared Reflection Absorption Spectroscopy (IRAS) and Near Edge X-ray Absorption Fine Structures (NEXAFS). IRAS and NEXAFS measurements showed that the two molecular systems form a well organized monolayer. The average tilt of the aromatic ring and the main molecular axis has been estimated based on NEXAFS measurements. The thicknesses of the self-assembled monolayer of the two molecules were investigated with ellipsometry and supported with XPS based measurements. The properties of the functionalized surfaces were also investigated using contact angle goniometry. Boronic acid based SAM is a simple mimicry of an adrenergic receptor. Investigation of the neurotransmitter dopamine recognition in real-time, using Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR), is in progress.