title: Enzymes as Biodevelopers for Nano- And Micropatterned Bicomponent Biopolymer Thin Films.
abstract: The creation of nano- and micropatterned polymer films is a crucial step for innumerous applications in science and technology. However, there are several problems associated with environmental aspects concerning the polymer synthesis itself, cross-linkers to induce the patterns as well as toxic solvents used for the preparation and even more important development of the films (e.g., chlorobenzene). In this paper, we present a facile method to produce micro- and nanopatterned biopolymer thin films using enzymes as so-called biodevelopers. Instead of synthetic polymers, naturally derived ones are employed, namely, poly-3-hydroxybutyrate and a cellulose derivative, which are dissolved in a common solvent in different ratios and subjected to spin coating. Consequently, the two biopolymers undergo microphase separation and different domain sizes are formed depending on the ratio of the biopolymers. The development step proceeds via addition of the appropriate enzyme (either PHB-depolymerase or cellulase), whereas one of the two biopolymers is selectively degraded, while the other one remains on the surface. In order to highlight the enzymatic development of the films, video AFM studies have been performed in real time to image the development process in situ as well as surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy to determine the kinetics. These studies may pave the way for the use of enzymes in patterning processes, particularly for materials intended to be used in a physiological environment.
authors.affiliation: Graz University of Technology , Institute for Chemistry and Technology of Materials, Stremayrgasse 9, 8010 Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: Katrin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Niegelhell
authors.affiliation: Graz University of Technology , Institute for Chemistry and Technology of Materials, Stremayrgasse 9, 8010 Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Süßenbacher
authors.affiliation: Graz University of Technology , Institute for Chemistry and Technology of Materials, Stremayrgasse 9, 8010 Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: Katrin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Jammernegg
authors.affiliation: Graz University of Technology , Institute for Electron Microscopy and Nanoanalysis, Steyrergasse 17, 8010 Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ganner
authors.affiliation: Graz University of Technology , Institute for Molecular Biotechnology, Petersgasse 14, 8010 Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Schwendenwein
authors.affiliation: Graz University of Technology , Institute for Molecular Biotechnology, Petersgasse 14, 8010 Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: Helmut
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Schwab
authors.affiliation: Graz University of Technology , Institute for Chemistry and Technology of Materials, Stremayrgasse 9, 8010 Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: Franz
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Stelzer
authors.affiliation: Graz University of Technology , Institute for Electron Microscopy and Nanoanalysis, Steyrergasse 17, 8010 Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: Harald
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Plank
authors.affiliation: Graz University of Technology , Institute for Chemistry and Technology of Materials, Stremayrgasse 9, 8010 Graz, Austria.|University of Maribor , Institute for Engineering and Design of Materials, Smetanova Ulica 17, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia.
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Spirk
mesh_terms: D001704:Biopolymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D002265:Carboxylic Ester Hydrolases / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D002480:Cellulase / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D002482:Cellulose / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry; D004798:Enzymes / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics; D006885:Hydroxybutyrates / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry; D011091:Polyesters / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry; D000094122:Polyhydroxybutyrates
chemical_list: D001704:Biopolymers; D002265:Carboxylic Ester Hydrolases; D002480:Cellulase; D002482:Cellulose; D004798:Enzymes; D006885:Hydroxybutyrates; D011091:Polyesters; C003182:poly-beta-hydroxybutyrate; D000094122:Polyhydroxybutyrates; C022417:poly-beta-hydroxybutyrate depolymerase