Specific Hydrogen-Bond-Mediated Recognition and Modification of Surfaces Using Complementary Functionalized Polymers

Specific hydrogen-bonding interactions between polymers and surface-tethered recognition elements were used to selectively modify self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) on gold. The interfacial recognition processes were followed by observing frequency changes of thymine-SAM modified quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) chips during adsorption of diamidopyridine-functionalized (DAP) polystyrene from a nonpolar solvent. QCM studies combined with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), water contact angle, and ellipsometry measurements of the polymer-modified surfaces demonstrate the selectivity of the polymer−surface hydrogen-bonding interactions. These studies also indicate that the degree of recognition element functionalization of both the polymer and the surface is crucial in determining the rate, selectivity, and coverage of polymer on the surface.