title: Nanoscale surface patterns from 10(3) single molecule helices of biodegradable poly(L-lactic acid).
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, USA.
authors.forename: Suolong
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ni
authors.forename: Wen
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Yin
authors.forename: Melinda K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Ferguson-McPherson
authors.forename: Sushil K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Satija
authors.forename: John R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Morris
authors.forename: Alan R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Esker