The Application of Time-of-Flight SIMS for the Surface Characterization of Polymer Latex Particles Prepared with Immobilized Sugar Residues

A polymerizable derivative of galactose, a thioglycoside with an acryloyl group in the aglycone sidechain, has been prepared and copolymerized with methyl methacrylate to produce colloidal latex particles for possible use in biomedical applications. The surface chemistry of these copolymer latex particles has been investigated using time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS). The detection of signals in the ToF-SIMS spectra specifically diagnostic of the galactose derivative, including those attributable to the intact molecule, provides definitive evidence for the presence of this immobilized sugar species at the surface of the latex particles. This study highlights the considerable and realizable potential of ToF-SIMS for the characterization of the complex colloid systems prepared with surface oriented biomolecules.