Dresden 2014 – scientific programme

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O: Fachverband Oberflächenphysik

O 31: Molecular Films: Properties and Preparation

O 31.1: Talk

Tuesday, April 1, 2014, 10:30–10:45, WIL A317

Ultrathin poly(ethylene glycol) films as flexible platform for plasmonics and nanofabrication — Nikolaus Meyerbröker and •Michael Zharnikov — Angewandte Physikalische Chemie, Universität Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 253, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany

We present a novel approach to prepare ultrathin, biocompatible, hydrogel films based on cross-linking of multi-functionalized, star-branched poly(ethylene glycols) (STAR-PEGs) with tunable film thicknesses of 4-200 nm. The films revealed pronounced swelling behavior, which was fully reversible and could be precisely controlled. Additionally, they provided a high affinity to citrate-stabilized gold nanoparticles (AuNP) that could be adsorbed with high densities into the PEG matrix from an aqueous solution. These novel PEG/AuNP composite films offer interesting and potentially useful optical properties. Controlling the accessibility, swelling behavior, and biorepulsive properties of the PEG films lithographically, we prepared nanocomposite patterns of metal nanoparticles and fluorophores imbedded into the PEG matrix as well as protein-affinity patterns in protein-repelling background. Further, using electron beam lithography, we succeeded to fabricate a variety of different nanostructures. Finally, we demonstrated that the PEG films can be separated from the substrate and exist as ultrathin, biocompatible, free-standing membranes. These membranes possess high stability and exceptional elasticity. They can be used in transmission electron microscopy experiments on sensitive biological targets and as a new type of support for the characterization of nanoparticles.