Optical visualization of polymer-polymer interactions.
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.
Walter
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Bauer
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D003124:Colorimetry / Q000379:methods*; D006046:Gold / Q000737:chemistry*; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D008832:Microchemistry / Q000379:methods*; D008968:Molecular Conformation; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000379:methods*; D043942:Nanotubes / Q000737:chemistry*; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*
D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D011108:Polymers; D006046:Gold