Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry
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Topic Selective functionalization of nanostructured biosensors with polymer coatings of controlled architecture
Supervisor Andres de los Santos Pereira, PhD
Department Chemistry and Physics of Surfaces and Biointerfaces
Description Nanofabricated optical devices are used to create sensitive affinity biosensors for the early detection of disease biomarkers. Besides their tuned optical properties, these devices require precise chemical modification of the sensor surface in order to function in biological environments. This project focuses on the coating of nanostructured surfaces in order to provide them with the desired physicochemical properties and chemical and biochemical functionality, so that the devices attain optimum performance. These coatings will consist of polymers in the brush architecture, which combine passivation of the device surface against non-desired interactions and immobilization of functional bioreceptors. To prepare and functionalize the coatings, methods of (surface-initiated) controlled radical polymerization including ATRP and RAFT polymerization and “click” chemistry will be employed and further developed. The prepared coatings will specifically target the materials of the nanodevices (metals and their oxides, glass, semiconductors, polymers) to modify their surfaces selectively and enable spatially confined functionalization. The candidate will also apply surface modification techniques based on adsorption and self-assembly processes. The obtained coatings will be characterized via spectroscopic ellipsometry, Fourier-transform infrared and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopies, atomic force microscopy and surface plasmon resonance. The developed methods will be applied to nanostructured devices in cooperation with partners in Czech Republic and abroad specializing in nanofabrication and biosensing.
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