Simple one-step process for immobilization of biomolecules on polymer substrates based on surface-attached polymer networks.

For the miniaturization of biological assays, especially for the fabrication of microarrays, immobilization of biomolecules at the surfaces of the chips is the decisive factor. Accordingly, a variety of binding techniques have been developed over the years to immobilize DNA or proteins onto such substrates. Most of them require rather complex fabrication processes and sophisticated surface chemistry.

Attachment of polymer films to solid surfaces via thermal activation of self-assembled monolayers containing sulphonyl azide group.

We report on a simple and effective way to attach thin polymer films to solid surfaces. The system is based on a thermosensitive sulphonyl azide derivative that is immobilized to SiO(2) surfaces via chlorosilane anchoring group and subsequently covered with a polymer film. Upon heating the sulfonyl azide decomposes, leading to a C-H insertion reaction from the adjacent polymer chain resulting in a covalent attachment of the polymer to the surface.