The characterization of high generation poly(amidoamine) G9 dendrimers by atomic force microscopy (AFM)

Abstract

Scanning force microscopy (AFM) has been employed to characterize the generation-9 (G9) poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimer packing on a mica surface under various conditions. Well ordered 2-D arrays from hexagonally packed particles of PAMAM (G9) dendrimers (11.4nm in diameter) were deposited on the mica surface. This may be one of the smallest regular monolayer arrays ever observed. The mechanism considered to be responsible for this 2-D array packing is the interaction of forces between the dendrimer and the mica surface and between dendrimer molecules as well. Other factors such as molecular interpenetrating and the rigidity of the branch structure obviously play an important role in the 2-D array formation.