Nanoscale surface patterns from 10(3) single molecule helices of biodegradable poly(L-lactic acid).
Atomic force microscopy, reflection absorption infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray reflectivity studies reveal that poly(L-lactic acid) molecules in Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) films exist as 10(3) helices over nearly the entire length of the polymer chain. This feature gives rise to LB films with highly ordered nanoscale smectic liquid crystalline-like surface patterns with low surface roughness and lamellar spacings that scale with molar mass. These studies provide a new approach for controlling surface morphology with a biodegradable polymer commonly used for drug delivery and tissue engineering.
Ni
Suolong
S
Department of Chemistry, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, USA.
Yin
Wen
W
Ferguson-McPherson
Melinda K
MK
Satija
Sushil K
SK
Morris
John R
JR
Esker
Alan R
AR