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PubMed · 15112553

Optical visualization of polymer-polymer interactions.

H Walter·G Bauer
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Abstract

Surface-enhanced absorption (SEA) has been used to monitor interactions of biomolecules and to observe structural changes of polymers. Such interactions of biomolecules are of interest in high-throughput screening and diagnostics. The structural changes of synthetic polymers can be exploited in optical sensorics. Based on SEA we have developed a technique that enables us to transfer the interaction of polyelectrolytes between two flat, solid surfaces into a visible color change, exploiting nanoscopic metal clusters. The polyelectrolytes are coated onto electrochemically oxidized aluminum, glass, and polycarbonate substrates. The change of surface color is monitored with a flat-bed scanner, and the interactions are analyzed kinetically. The results are interpreted with regard to adhesion, surface tension, electrostatic interactions, and miscibility.

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ColorimetryGoldMacromolecular SubstancesMicrochemistryMolecular ConformationNanotechnologyNanotubesPolymersEvaluation StudyJournal Article

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H Walter, G Bauer. Optical visualization of polymer-polymer interactions.. https://doi.org/10.1166/jnn.2004.227

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