title: An X-ray spectromicroscopy study of protein adsorption to polystyrene-poly(ethylene oxide) blends.
abstract: Synchrotron-based X-ray photoemission electron microscopy (X-PEEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) were used to characterize the composition and surface morphology of thin films of a polystyrene-poly(ethylene oxide) blend (PS-PEO), spun cast from dichloromethane at various mass ratios and polymer concentrations. X-PEEM reveals incomplete segregation with ∼30% of PS in the PEO region and vice versa. Protein (human serum albumin) adsorption studies show that this partial phase separation leads to greater protein repellency in the PS region, whereas more protein is detected in the PEO region compared to control samples.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry & Chemical Biology, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada L8S 4M1.
authors.forename: Bonnie O
authors.initials: BO
authors.lastname: Leung
authors.forename: Adam P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Hitchcock
authors.forename: John L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Brash
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Scholl
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Doran
mesh_terms: D000327:Adsorption; D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D006801:Humans; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force; D008854:Microscopy, Electron / Q000379:methods*; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000737:chemistry*; D011137:Polystyrenes / Q000737:chemistry*; D011506:Proteins / Q000737:chemistry*; D058525:Quartz Crystal Microbalance Techniques; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D011137:Polystyrenes; D011506:Proteins; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols