Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, Vol.416, 73-80, 2014
Protein immobilization on nanoporous silicon functionalized by RF activated plasma polymerization of Acrylic Acid
Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition (PECVD) technique is used to polymerize Acrylic Acid for the surface functionalization of porous silicon samples with different pore dimensions. The polymer shows free -COOH groups also at the pores inner surface, suitable for the immobilization of fluorescent labeled Protein A. The stability of the polymer, its role in the protection from aging of the porous matrix and the efficiency of the functionalization for the binding of protein A have been characterized by ATR-FTIR, SEM, Optical Contact Angle and Fluorescence Microscopy. The polymerization process is well controllable and suitable for the functionalization of porous silicon leaving free carboxylic groups at the surface ready for the immobilization of biochemical species for sensing applications. (C) 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Keywords:Porous silicon;Acrylic Acid;Plasma polymerization;Surface functionalization;Protein covalent binding