Heterogeneous Surfaces of Structured Hairy-Rod Polymer Films: Preparation and Methods of Functionalization

Abstract

We report a versatile technique for the formation of a biofunctionalized micrometer scale pattern on solids which is based on Langmuir−Blodgett multilayers of hairy-rod polymers stabilized by partial photochemical cross-linking. Three types of polymer patterns consisting of hydrophobic and hydrophilic domains are generated. These structured films are locally functionalized in two ways: (1) by activating the hairy-rod cushions with active esters and (2) by the deposition of a lipid monolayer onto the hydrophobic domains. For the latter procedure use is made of the fact that lipid monolayers are only assembled over domains with matched polarity. The fluidity and continuity of the monolayer domains was analyzed by lateral diffusion measurements on the basis of photobleaching techniques. The polarity of the domains is monitored by the interference contrast microscopic observation of water microdrops deposited on the structured hairy-rod films.