Surface modification

Several techniques have been developed for the modification of polymerand other surfaces, among them plasma and corona treatments and chemical etching. In contrast to these techniques, photochemical processes in combination with mask projection make a patterned modification of polymer surfaces possible. Since the penetration depth of UV modification (m range) is larger than that of other techniques, a modification of membranes and polymer films throughout their depth is possible. The present project aims at the introduction of specific functional groups by irradiating polymer surfaces in the presence of reactive gaseous compounds. Employing various gases, the introduction of groups such as CN, NH2 and SO3H is possible. In addition, the derivatization of these groups is investigated in order to achieve the binding of dyes, proteins, DNA sequences and other compounds onto the surface. The modified surfaces are investigated by means of FTIR, EDX, XPS, contact angle measurements, zeta potential measurements and mass spectrometry (see also the research activity: MALDI-TOF MS investigations of surface modified polymers).