title: In Situ Electrochemical-AFM and Cluster-Ion-Profiled XPS Characterization of an Insulating Polymeric Membrane as a Substrate for Immobilizing Biomolecules.
abstract: The electrochemical oxidation of ortho-aminophenol (oAP) by cyclic voltammetry (CV), on platinum substrates in neutral solution, produces a polymeric film (PoAP) that grows to a limiting thickness of about 10 nm. The insulating film has potential use as a bioimmobilizing substrate, with its specificity depending on the orientation of its molecular chains. Prior investigations suggest that the film consists of alternating quinoneimine and oAP units, progressively filling all the platinum sites during the electrosynthesis. This work concerns the evaluation of the growth orientation of PoAP chains, which until now was deduced only from indirect evidence. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) has been used in situ with an electrochemical cell so that PoAP deposition on a specific area can be observed, thus avoiding any surface reorganization during ex situ transport. In parallel with microscopy, XPS experiments have been performed using cluster ion beams to profile this film, which is exceptionally thin, without damage while retaining molecular information.
authors.affiliation: Science Department, University of Basilicata , Viale dell'Ateneo Lucano, 10-Potenza, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria E E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Carbone
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical Engineering Sciences, University of Surrey , Guildford, Surrey, GU2 7XH, U.K.
authors.forename: James E
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-2949-6076
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Castle
authors.affiliation: Science Department, University of Basilicata , Viale dell'Ateneo Lucano, 10-Potenza, Italy.
authors.forename: Rosanna
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ciriello
authors.affiliation: Science Department, University of Basilicata , Viale dell'Ateneo Lucano, 10-Potenza, Italy.
authors.forename: Anna M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Salvi
authors.affiliation: Thermo Fisher Scientific, The Birches Industrial Estate, Imberhorne Lane, East Grinstead, West Sussex RH19 1UB, U.K.
authors.forename: Jon
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Treacy
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical Engineering Sciences, University of Surrey , Guildford, Surrey, GU2 7XH, U.K.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Zhdan